NATURE CURE, THE GANDHIAN WAY

Urlikanchan, in Maharashtra, was the outcome of Mahatma Gandhi’s commitment to nature cure and a measure to bring to the poor an inexpensive way to keep healthy.

This nature cure sanitarium was set up by Gandhi and his close friends and associates, Balkoba Bhave, social reformer Manubhai Desai and Dr Dinshaw Mehta, in the year 1946.

Gandhi believed that disease is an attempt by the body to get rid of the toxins.

These toxins can be eliminated by fasting, eating and drinking natural food, cleansing of the bowels by enemas, baths, hydro therapies and massages.

The ashram has a spacious compound that can house as many as 180 persons.

Room rents, treatment and food costs are kept low, abiding by Gandhi’s aim to cater to the poor.

There is a specific diet pattern and a diet schedule that needs to be adhered to by the residents.

Here, various kinds of treatments are available, including foot/arm bath, woollen pack, sunbath, spinal bath, acupressure, neurotherapy and tub bath.

Gandhi had started Urlikanchan on an experimental basis and had witnessed a great success in treating people of various ailments.

Many years later, people are once again awakening to the curative potential of Nature.