We calculated it has been 13 years since I last visited the Raju Clinic in Hyderabad. There are a few things that have changed about the experience……and quite a few things have remained the same. So, I thought it would be fun to list a few of these, in both categories, that I have noticed in my first couple of weeks of being here.
The Same:
We are all still in the capable hands of the Raju family. This is the reason we all come to Hyderabad for our Pancha Karma (PK). The family formulations of herbs and their deep insight into how to heal and improve the lives of their patients makes all the preparation and travel worthwhile. And now there is another Dr. Raju….Dr. Ramya Raju! We see her occasionally when Dr. Krishna is unavailable. She is very patient and explains the treatments very well.
The technicians that give the treatments…..everyday. And I do mean every day. When you are here, there are treatments every day of the week, Saturday and Sunday included! These guys work very hard and make the treatments feel special. And to end each day they come to your room at night and do a final foot massage before bed. You are assigned two techs at the beginning of your stay and in most cases, you have the same techs for the entire time you are here. My two techs are Sai (on the left) and Aadhiyy.
The people that come for PK are from a wide variety of countries. I talk to people from the US, from the UK, from Australia, Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, Italy, Sri Lanka…..It really is an international group!
The pujas that take place in the clinic every morning before/while seeing the doctor for daily consultation. And, now also in a separate building that also houses patients. I like that there is a spiritual/consciousness-based aspect to the healing that takes place here. Having clear intentions in your mind while undergoing treatment makes them much more powerful.
The dogs. There are many dogs that wander around, and as you will see, sleep around Sahara States ( our neighborhood). Most cities in India have an issue with stray dogs. I just looked up the latest census for the number of stray dogs in Hyderabad and it is estimated that there are over 400,00 stray dogs in a city about the size of Chicago! There are ongoing efforts to immunize and neuter these dogs and the NGOs responsible say that they have reached about 80% of that number…which is impressive. The dogs have never given me any issues, and I usually just walk past them. Makes me miss our pups at home!
The Business Center still looks the same and could still use a coat of paint 🙂 Most of the businesses are the same as I remember. And the treatment center is on the third floor of the building. It is a pleasant walk to go from my building, through the neighborhood park and then down the street to the business center. The park is a great place to lounge in the shade during the afternoon or do some yoga in the early morning.
Motor bikes and scooters are a major form of transportation. A family of four can fit on a motor bike and 3 on a scooter! It helps that in December and January the temperature only drops into the low 60s. There seems to be a scooter…or two in front of every house.
The food. Here they use food as medicine and what they serve is all easily digestible vegetarian food. This helps clean out the digestive system and then the food, along with the treatments, are meant to help the body to “remember health”. One of my favorites is idli with chutney, which we often have for breakfast. The soups and dals that we have for lunch and dinner are also very good.
The Different:
There is now a third building associated with the clinic for people to reside in while having PK. This is the building I am staying in, and fortunately it also happens to be where the meals are served! There are 12 rooms in the new building, and I like the fact that it has newer electrical outlets that will take a variety of plug styles, including ones from the US. Ah..the little things. I am happy with my room. Plenty of light, room for my yoga mat, and a nice bathroom.
The houses in the neighborhood have changed dramatically. Many homes are now 3 or 4 stories high. One or two stories used to be the norm, and the clinic stood out as a tall building. But not any longer.
We have seen the use of WhatsApp for communications by resorts and travel agents over the past few years. Now the clinic is using it as well. There are three different chat streams. One for communicating about the doctor’s arrival to the clinic or any needs for more herbs, etc.; one for special food needs; and then one for housekeeping. I find this to be a good addition and hope they continue to use this at the new clinic.
Speaking of the new clinic! It was supposed to open this September, when I was scheduled to arrive, but it isn’t quite ready yet. I know they are hoping to open it very soon and I hope to get a tour of the new facility before I leave! Here is a link to their website that has drawings of the new center. https://www.drraju.com/the-raju-family/raju-ayurveda-centers
So overall, I would say the experience now has much more in common with my previous experience than differences. And that is a good thing given the success I had here some 13 years ago!
If anyone is seriously considering a future visit to this clinic or doing PK, I am happy to chat with you about it.
Alan, I love reading about your adventures. Your own true nature comes through so strongly you are a good writer.
What a wonderful long path you have come from being a Midwestern guy to being such a deep citizen of the world. Love you, friend. Can’t wait to catch up when you come back.
Thank you Diane. I will be back October 24th. We will catch up then!
Such a great post. I love the photos! Great job. And the new clinic looks amazing! I would love to visit in a future year.
Hopefully will be done soon!
Alan, I so enjoyed reading about your stay at the clinic. And the photos are terrific. I hope everything continues on this path and we all look forward to hearing more when you return home!
Fran
Thank you Fran for following along. Will be back the last week of October!