Spa Review: Kairali Ayurvedic Centre, Mumbai

I was invited to review the Mumbai centre of the Kairali Ayurvedic centre on a Sunday afternoon. And no one can refuse some weekend pampering especially if it's in a spa.
The Kairali Ayurvedic Centre is not exactly a spa, it's a healing centre. But all things that involve massages and relaxation I tend to refer to them as spas, so excuse me for it.

About Kairali Ayurvedic Group 

Kairali Ayurvedic Group was established on solid ground of Ayurveda research. Since its inception in 1989, by Mr. K.V. Ramesh and Mrs. Gita Ramesh, Kairali has built on the achievements of its forefathers, developing its product infrastructure to make a diverse range of Ayurvedic medicines available to a multi-national audience. The Group is also into AyurvedicMedicines & Healing Centers. Its signature Ayurvedic health retreat and multiple award winning hotel and spa TheAyurvedic Healing Village is one of the leading Ayurvedic health retreats in Asia, and among the best wellness centers in the world.

Kairali Group is founded on authentic Ayurvedic medicine and philosophy, delivering high quality natural Ayurvedic therapy by providing luxury Ayurvedic spas.

They have recently entered the US market and opened a centre called Kairali World of Ayurveda in Connecticut, USA. It will offer Relaxing Massages, Refreshing Body Works, Reviving Wellness Techniques, Rejuvenating Body Treatments, Health & Diet Counselling, Holistic Healing Services & a full range of authentic Ayurvedic Therapies. For further details please visit www.kairali.com

Health Thru Ayurveda....The first thing that I noticed when I entered the Kairali Ayurvedic Centre in Chembur, Mumbai.The centre was a cozy and compact place with tastefully done interiors. Inspired by the Keralite culture, there was a Ganesh Idol at the entrance with fresh flowers strewn in a big brass bowl filled with water.

At the reception, there was a tall brass diya with beautifully decorated marigold flowers and the ceiling had bells hanging from them.
Even the water that was served to me was served in copper glasses. And I was pleased with the overall welcome at this place.
I was then oriented with the various services that the centre offered.

I chose the Abhyangam massage which is a head to toe 50 minute massage with medicinal oils and offers complete relaxation accompanied with a steam bath.

After learning more about the centre, I was escorted to the massage room.
Like every Kerala massage centre that I have visited, this place too smelled of oil.
The massage room had a wooden table where I had to lie down and a platform which had 3 bowls of oil. One for my hair, one for my face and one for my body.

After changing, I was made to sit on a wooden stool, where the masseuse first started with oiling my hair and massaging it.
The hair massage graduated to a back massage where the masseuse gave special attention on the spine and her massage began from the end of my nape ad ended on the tail bone.

Then I was asked to lie down on the wooden massage table, as she started pouring generous amounts of warm oil on me. And the massage began.
Solid but uniform strokes with the correct amount of pressure ensured that each part of my body was well massaged.
At the end of the 45 minute massage I was almost ready to doze off, but I was woken up for a steam bath. The steam bath made sure that the pores of my skin were opened and the massage oil was well absorbed.
After a quick shower, I was rejuvenated to an extent that I felt like a new person. I was served a special herbal tea after the massage which was quite soothing and refreshing.

If I have to mention one flip side, it would be that the massage rooms only have fans and no air conditioning, so it gets a little sweaty especially during summers.
When I took up this issue with the staff, they told me that almost all Ayurvedic massages require the absence of fans/air conditioning for better results of the treatments.
So that answered my query.

They also have a variety of massages/treatments to heal various health problems like arthritis, insomnia, obesity, etc.
I was surprised to see that they also have a host of beauty treatments, facials, scrubs and wraps which will give you a makeover fit for the royals. And all the ingredients for these treatments are sourced from Kerala.

I was happy with the experience I had and would recommend it to anyone and everyone who would like to get an authentic Kerala massage in Mumbai itself.
The Abhyangam massage costs Rs. 2,000 and lasted 50 minutes including the steam.

Address: Bungalow No:3, CHS, Near Atur Park S.T. Road, VN Purav Marg, Basant Garden, 
               Chembur, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400071
Timings: 8 am to 1pm and 4pm to 7 pm, all 7 days a week