Siddha and Santhigiri Ashramam's role in Siddha promotion

Santhigiri Ashramam and Siddha promotion

Activities of Santhigiri Ashramam, founded by Guru Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru, situated at Santhigiri, near Pothencode, Thiruvananthapuram mainly focused in the areas like Annadhanam (offering food), Aadhurasevanam (helping the sufferers in health point of view) and Athmabothanam (educating spirituality). Aadhurasevanam is offered only by means of Siddha and Ayurvedic products. In order to promote Siddha globally, Santhigiri instituted Santhigiri Siddha Medical College at Pothencode, Thiruvananthapuram, the only Siddha College teaching in English medium, among 9 Siddha colleges under Department of AYUSH. The 115 bedded Siddha hospital which is attached with college, providing comprehensive health care for the patients. Santhigiri Ayurveda Siddha Vaidhya Sala, a GMP certified production unit, operating under Santhigiri Healthcare and Research Organization (SHRO) is manufacturing and marketing 250 quality Siddha products and 500 Ayurvedic drugs. People of India and abroad are getting treatment facilities of traditional medical systems, especially Siddha, from 120 Santhigiri network hospitals are attached with SHRO. International operations of Santhigiri now opens window for the world community to receive healthcare measures from the centres set up in foreign countries. By considering community health in mind and propagation of traditional systems, Santhigiri, implemented healthcare projects in the name of “Karunyam” and “Karunyam Siddha Village”. Lakhs of people are benefitted by these projects. Under Karunyam Siddha Village project, Santhigiri adopted Chandiroor village, Alappuzha, which is known as India’s first Siddha Grahamam, and offered Siddha treatments for 3750 patients at free of cost during the period 2006-2010. Santhigiri Charitable Services Division, rendered service, by distributing the unique preventive medicines of Siddha for all during epidemic episodes like Chickungunya etc. “Ende schoolil oru oushada thottam onnu ende veettilum” and “Ende oushada grahmam” are the two major projects of Ashramam implemented in schools and village respectively, enhanced Siddha awareness in the people’s mind and educated the community to recognize the utility of traditional medical systems. Santhigiri Scientific and Industrial Research Institute and Santhigiri Social Research Institute functioning under Santhigiri Research Foundation, going forward with active research programmes in the social and medical field. Globalization of Indian traditional systems will be possible in near future through Santhigiri’s future programmes.