Harnessing the Benefits of Panchakarma during Monsoon Season at Dharana at Shillim

The Indian monsoon, stretching from June to September, sweeps across the country, showering it with life-giving rain. During this season, western and central India, where world-leading wellness retreat, Dharana at Shillim, is located, receives more than 90% of their annual rainfall. Though for most Brits, dreaming up their next escape centers around escaping the drizzle, it is a long-held belief in India that, as the showers replenish the gushing streams and transform the lush greenery into its most vibrant emerald hues, they also provide the most effective conditions to reset for the ultimate detoxification and rejuvenation treatment - a Panchakarma programme - with added welcome respite from the dust and heat. 

Photo credits: Dharana at Shillim

Panchakarma: a cornerstone of Ayurvedic medicine 

The ultimate holistic cleansing system, Panchakarma is designed for profound physical and emotional renewal, combining the ancient art of Ayurveda with modern diagnostics. Beginning with a detailed exploration of your Dosha - your unique bio-genetic makeup - uncovering imbalances brought on by stress, diet and lifestyle, a customised Dinacharya (daily routine) then expels toxins (free radicals), restores digestive harmony, and boosts immunity. The process is also said to be highly beneficial for chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, as well as skin conditions, autoimmune disorders and allergies. Further than its immediate benefits, Panchakarma educates on nurturing long-term wellbeing through adopting a holistic approach, being mindful of the root causes of our ailments and imbalances.  

Photo credits: Dharana at Shillim

Extracting the essence of Panchakarma at Dharana at Shillim 

Nestled within a UNESCO Heritage site and one of the world’s top ten “biodiversity hotspots”, the Dharana at Shillim philosophy is centred on healing in alignment with nature’s cyclical rhythm, and promises a unique experience from one visit to the next as the seasons change this remarkable landscape. Positioned in the heart of the Sahyadri Mountains - a range older than the Himalayas - Dharana’s guests are blessed with a wide choice of adventurous daily rituals to immerse themselves within the breathtaking natural surroundings; think forest treks to Shillim Peak, bird watching, and wild dips in the rivers which form in the valleys, thanks to the rainfall.  

The amplified effects of Dharana’s 14, 21, or 28-night Panchakarma programmes taken during monsoon season come from bio-purification treatments like Snehapana (medicated ghee consumption), Vamana (therapeutic vomiting) and Virechana (purgation). The doshas are balanced and harmony restored through other treatments such as Kashaya Vasthy (herbal enemas), Anuvasana Vasthy (oil enemas), and Nasyam (nasal therapy). Rice poultices, oil massages and herbal bundle treatments further detoxify, rejuvenate, and soothe, supported by  emotional detox practices like Pranayama meditation and talk therapy, and a doha-based diet at the Green Table. 

The cleansing power of rain  

Ayurveda recognises the soothing embrace of the monsoon season, or Varsha Ritu, as a time of introspection and reflection, an ideal setting for transformation and personal growth, as the downpours nourish the earth. During this time, the body is primed to receive treatments, with the skin's pores opening up from the humid climate, facilitating the absorption of medicine, and expelling the unwanted toxins more easily. Muscles relax, assisting yoga beginners in easing into their practice. The soothing rhythm of rainfall on the forest leaves, which happens mostly in the evening, encourages a deepened sense of calm whilst settling the dust and cooling down the air temperature. This creates an atmosphere of tranquility, with mild and largely dry days which invite one to fully immerse in the 2,500 acres of pristine, freshly drenched landscape which surrounds.  https://www.dharanaretreat.com/ 

Healing Holidays (healingholidays.com; 020 7843 3597) can arrange a 7-night wellness programme at Dharana at Shillim from £3,449 per person based on two people sharing, including transfers, full board accommodation and inclusions of the programme.