Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala

Arya Vaidya Sala popularly known as Kottakkal Ayurveda or just Kottakkal (from the town where it is located in Kerala, India), is a pioneering charitable institution engaged in the practice and propagation of Ayurveda, the ancient health care system of India. Kottakkal Ayurveda offers classical Ayurvedic products, authentic Ayurvedic treatments & pancakarma therapies to persons from all over the world.

It was established in the year 1902 by Vaidyaratnam P. S. Varier, scion of an illustrious family of Kerala Ayurvedic physicians, who were invited in late 19th century by the Zamorin Kings of Malabar region to settle in Kottakkal. Sri P.S.Varier studied Ayurveda under the traditional Gurukula system from Kuttanchery Vasudevan Mooss, one of the Ashtavaidyam, the eight great reputed families of Ayurvedic physicians in Kerala.

Additionally, and uniquely, Sri P.S.Varier also acquired a sound knowledge of allopathy under the late Dewan Bahadur Dr. Varghese, a distinguished physician and surgeon.

Pioneer

That experience in Allopathy, mixed with his deep experiential knowledge of Ayurveda created a unique combination which resulted in Arya Vaidya Sala establishing-

1. Pharmaceutical level factories for manufacturing Ayurveda products
2. The first Ayurveda hospitals in India with standardized treatment methods
3. Pharma level research of herbal ingredients
4. Quality Assurance department for checking raw herbs for adulteration and finished products for standard quality

This was unique for Ayurveda in the first half of the 20th Century, helping Arya Vaidya Sala lead the way in establishing the efficacy of Ayurvedic therapies, especially the Kerala Ayurveda methods now popular all over the world.

AVS now manages Ayurvedic Hospitals at Kottakkal, Delhi and Kochi. All classical Ayurvedic products, therapies and expert advice are available there. AVS has three modern, pharmaceutical grade, GMP certified manufacturing units, well equipped quality control labs, full fledged research activities, publishes Ayurvedic periodicals and books, cultivates medicinal plants and runs an Ayurvedic college. AVS also runs a Kathakali academy where the classical theatre of Kathakali is taught and performed.

Media has often covered this phenomenon in Ayurveda.

The patron deity of the Varier family, Sri Viswambhar, installed in a temple opposite to the hospital, is worshipped as Sri Dhanwantari, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the giver of Ayurveda.

Lord Viswambhara worshipped as Dhanwantari in Arya Vaidya Sala, Kottakkal

Charitable Trust

Sri P.S.Varier passed away in 1944. He had executed a Will prior to his demise, which converted his proprietary concern into a Charitable Trust of public nature.

55% of the profits go for charitable causes, in the form of medical aid to the needy patients via free out patient consultation and also for operating a Charitable Hospital where even the in-patient Ayurvedic and Allopathy treatment is provided completely free of cost to needy persons. 

Financial support is also provided for managing an affiliated Ayurveda college, conducting research, holding seminars and training programs, publishing books and periodicals, cultivation of herbal gardens, and running a classical theatre academy.

The remaining 45% of the funds are pooled back for the development of the institution. No financial gain accrues to any individual or family. This is unique for Ayurveda in India as invariably Ayurvedic manufacturers are private or public companies.

Dr. P. K. Warrier, age 93

Managing Trustee & Chief Physician

Aryavaidyan P.K. Warrier became the Managing Trustee on the demise of his brother P.M. Varier who was Managing Trustee from 1944-1954. He has been leading Arya Vaidya Sala for more than 60 years. Dr. P.K. Warrier serves also as the Chief Physician ably assisted by other senior and experienced physicians. Under his leadership Arya Vaidya Sala has grown into a multi-million dollar, multi-unit organization and has been recognized as the premier centre of Ayurveda in the country. Arya Vaidya Sala became the destination of ailing patients, rich and poor alike, students and scholars from India and abroad. He has made Kottakkal the synonym of authentic ayurveda.