By M.T. Yogesh Kumar
Basically from forests, mahouts and kavadis believe in medicines that have been extracted from roots, tree barks, leaves and even tubers. And to cater to this particular requirement, the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy, abbreviated as AYUSH, has established an exclusive Panchakarma unit inside the Mysore Palace premises to treat mahouts, kavadis and their families. These mahouts and kavadis stay inside the forests for most time of the year and they come to Mysuru during September and October as part of the Dasara festivities. They don’t believe in allopathy or the “English Medicine.” From a small ailment like common cold to headache and body ache, these forest dwellers use medicines that are locally available inside the forests. And they know medicinal plants at the back of their hands and the knowledge has passed on to them by their elders. The Panchakarma unit has been set up inside the Palace based on the request by the Forest Department. The AYUSH Department has set up this unit on Sept.5. It provides treatment to forest denizens till Oct.20. It also provides treatment to Palace Board staff. Common ailments, including joint pain, leg pain, back-ache, lung and other health disorders, are treated. This apart, body massage is provided for mahouts and kavadis to rejuvenate after a tiring day of work and training. The Department is running such units during Dasara festivities since the last seven years. As many as 680 persons availed treatment in this unit when it was opened last year. An average of 20 to 25 patients had availed treatment daily last year. Last year, mahouts and kavadis and their family members and other staff received treatment for various skin-related problems, joint pain, cough, lung problems, gynaecological and other health disorders.
