Hortus Malabaricus Botanical Garden Inaugurates “Ayur Udhyan”

THRISSUR:
The Hortus Malabaricus Botanical Garden and Research Institute (HMBGRI) today inaugurated Ayur Udhyan, a first-of-its-kind living sanctuary designed according to the principles of Ayurveda, at its Cheruthuruthi campus. The sanctuary was inaugurated by Dr. K. S. Vishnu Nampoothiry, President of the Ayurveda Medical Association of India (AMAI), in the presence of eminent Ayurveda scholars, academicians, researchers, conservationists, and students.

In his inaugural address, Dr. Vishnu Nampoothiry emphasized that the long-term effectiveness and sustainability of Ayurveda depend on the conservation and scientific understanding of indigenous medicinal plants. He called for greater efforts to identify, protect, and propagate native medicinal species that have formed the foundation of India’s traditional healthcare systems for centuries.

Developed as an experiential space, Ayur Udhyan integrates the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with biodiversity conservation, environmental stewardship, and scientific learning. The sanctuary features a curated collection of medicinal plants within a thoughtfully designed landscape that reflects the holistic philosophy of Ayurveda, providing visitors with an immersive understanding of the relationship between nature, health, and well-being.

Speaking at the event, Sam Santhosh, Chairman of HMBGRI and Founder of SciGenom, MedGenome, and the SciGenom Research Foundation, said:

“Ayur Udhyan represents an inspiring convergence of India’s traditional knowledge systems and modern scientific thinking. As we continue to advance genomics and precision medicine, it is equally important to preserve and scientifically explore the extraordinary biodiversity and medicinal plant heritage that has supported healthcare for centuries. This initiative creates a living platform for education, conservation, and research, encouraging meaningful collaboration between Ayurveda, plant sciences, and modern life sciences.”

The function was presided over by Dr. Murali K. (Retd. Professor, Government Ayurveda College, Tripunithura), Dr. Kirathamoorthy P. P. (Principal, Vishnu Ayurveda College, Kulappully), Dr. Anju K. P. (Principal, Vaidyaratnam Ayurveda College, Thrissur), Dr. Gigi Mathew (Principal, PNNM Ayurveda Medical College, Cheruthuruthi), and Dr. Latha K. K. (PNNM Ayurveda Medical College, Cheruthuruthi), who lauded the initiative as an important contribution to the preservation and promotion of Ayurveda.

Coinciding with the inauguration, HMBGRI launched “Dravya Bodhini,” a three-day intensive field-based training programme for Ayurveda students under the guidance of Dr. Ajayan Sadanandan and Dr. Lekshmy M. S. The programme aims to strengthen practical knowledge of medicinal plants through immersive learning and direct interaction with living plant collections.

The event was organized under the leadership of Dr. Anoop P. Balan, Scientist-in-Charge, HMBGRI, with Dr. Ajayan Sadanandan, Consultant Scientist, HMBGRI, serving as programme coordinator.

Through Ayur Udhyan, HMBGRI reaffirms its commitment to conserving Kerala’s rich medicinal plant heritage while advancing research, education, and public awareness of Ayurveda and traditional knowledge systems. The sanctuary is expected to serve as a valuable resource for students, researchers, practitioners, and the wider public, strengthening the connection between biodiversity conservation and holistic healthcare.