ShinShiva Ayurvedashram is set along the serene coastline of Chowara near Vizhinjam, in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, where dramatic cliffs overlook the Arabian Sea. Surrounded by the soothing rhythm of waves, open horizons and natural greenery, the ashram offers a setting where the beauty of its natural surroundings becomes an integral part of the healing journey. Sunrises and sunsets over the sea shape a calm, contemplative ambience, allowing guests to slow down, reconnect with nature and embrace a deeper sense of inner balance.
Rooted in a 400-year-old Ayurvedic legacy, ShinShiva Ayurvedashram stands as a NABH-accredited traditional Ayurveda hospital and an Ayur Diamond classified Ayurvedic Treatment Centre recognised by the Kerala Tourism Department. The ashram reflects a philosophy where classical Ayurvedic wisdom is practised with scientific discipline, ethical standards and patient-centred care. Guided by generations of Ayurvedic knowledge, the institution is dedicated to preserving authenticity while delivering personalised and evidence-based healing in a tranquil, nature-blessed environment.
Leadership at ShinShiva is anchored by Dr. Shanthi Franklin, BAMS (MD), Ayurvedic Chief Physician and Managing Director, whose practice is deeply influenced by her family heritage and extensive clinical experience. With over thirteen years of dedicated work in Ayurveda, her expertise includes infertility care, stress management, diabetes reversal, weight management, gynaecological disorders, psoriasis and other chronic conditions. The ashram’s legacy is further strengthened by the pioneering work of her father, Dr. V. Franklin, a former Chief District Medical Officer of Kerala and a key figure in introducing Ayurveda to international audiences. The institution is supported by Dr. Dilip Gopinathan, MBA, PhD, Director of ShinShiva Ayurvedashram, whose background in hospitality and strategic leadership ensures that medical excellence is complemented by thoughtful guest care.
Accommodation at ShinShiva Ayurvedashram is designed to support rest and recovery as an essential part of the wellness process. The ashram offers four traditional Kerala-style room categories—Shin, Shiva, Ayur and Veda, each thoughtfully located in relation to the Yoga hall, treatment rooms, consultation areas and dining spaces. Several rooms offer sea views, while others provide easy access to therapeutic facilities, ensuring comfort, simplicity and functionality throughout the stay. The architecture and interiors remain understated, allowing the focus to remain on healing, rest and reflection.
The Ayurveda centre forms the core of the ShinShiva experience, offering a comprehensive range of classical Ayurvedic treatments and Panchakarma therapies. All programs begin with a detailed consultation, including assessment of Prakruthi (constitution) and Vikruthi (imbalance), followed by personalised treatment planning. Therapies are designed to address both preventive and curative needs, with special focus on conditions such as infertility, arthritis, diabetes, psoriasis, stress-related disorders, metabolic imbalances, neurological concerns and early-stage chronic conditions. Ayurvedic medicines are sourced from GMP-certified herbal pharmacies, and treatments are administered by certified therapists under the supervision of experienced Ayurvedic doctors, ensuring safety, authenticity and clinical precision.
Panchakarma at ShinShiva follows classical protocols, incorporating the five core procedures—Vamana, Virechana, Basti, Nasya and Rakta Mokshana—selected according to individual needs. These detoxification therapies are complemented by rejuvenation, nourishing and disease-specific treatments, all aimed at restoring balance and supporting long-term wellbeing. The ashram also offers specialised care programs, including postnatal and prenatal care, weight management, stress care, metabolic correction, sinus and respiratory therapies, and seasonal treatments such as monsoon therapy.
Yoga and meditation form an integral part of daily life at ShinShiva Ayurvedashram, seamlessly supporting the Ayurvedic healing process. Guided by experienced instructors, sessions include Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation and Yoga Nidra, encouraging physical stability, mental clarity and emotional balance. Practised in a tranquil natural setting, Yoga is approached as both a preventive and therapeutic discipline, helping guests integrate mindfulness, breath awareness and movement into their healing journey.
Diet and lifestyle guidance complete the holistic framework at ShinShiva. Meals are prepared in an in-house Ayurvedic kitchen, offering freshly cooked, sattvic cuisine tailored to individual dosha requirements. Guests also benefit from interactive Ayurveda lifestyle sessions led by doctors, enabling them to carry the principles of balanced living beyond their stay. Together, environment, medical expertise, Yoga, diet and personalised care come together at ShinShiva Ayurvedashram to create a deeply rooted Ayurvedic experience, where healing unfolds not only as treatment, but as a way of life aligned with nature and tradition.
Dining at ShinShiva Ayurvedashram is an essential therapeutic component of the overall healing journey, carefully structured to work in harmony with Ayurvedic treatments and medical guidance. All meals are prepared in the ashram’s in-house Ayurvedic kitchen, where food is regarded not merely as nourishment but as a form of medicine that supports recovery, balance, and long-term wellbeing. The dining environment is calm, disciplined, and restorative, allowing guests to practise mindful eating while remaining gently connected to the surrounding coastal serenity .
The culinary philosophy is firmly rooted in classical Ayurvedic dietary principles, with a strong focus on balancing the three doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Diet plans are formulated in close coordination with the attending Ayurvedic doctors, ensuring that every meal aligns precisely with the guest’s constitution, treatment objectives, and stage of therapy. This medically supervised approach enables food to function as a supportive extension of Panchakarma, detoxification, disease-management, and rejuvenation programs rather than as a separate experience.
Meals are served through a common Ayurvedic buffet system, offering a variety of traditional Indian vegetarian preparations. Guests are guided to select dishes strictly according to their individual diet chart prescribed by the doctor, maintaining both flexibility and clinical discipline. The menu remains predominantly sattvic, emphasising simplicity, balance, and digestibility, while avoiding excesses that may burden the digestive fire. Seasonal vegetables, grains, herbs, and naturally sourced ingredients are used to enhance absorption, vitality, and metabolic harmony.
The ashram’s sea-view restaurant adds a subtle sensory calm to the dining experience, reinforcing relaxation and mental clarity during meals. Alongside food, dosha-specific herbal drinks and Ayurvedic beverages are made available, carefully chosen to support digestion, hydration, and doshic equilibrium. Cooking methods remain gentle and mindful, with precise use of spices and minimal processing to preserve the therapeutic integrity of each ingredient.
Dietary care at ShinShiva is also highly attentive to individual sensitivities. During the initial doctor consultation, any food allergies or intolerances are carefully documented, and such ingredients are consciously excluded from the guest’s meals. While food is prepared commonly within the Ayurvedic kitchen, individual diet charts are clearly defined and followed to ensure safety and effectiveness. With medical approval, in-room dining can also be arranged for guests who require additional rest, privacy, or clinical supervision.
Through this considered and medically integrated approach, dining at ShinShiva Ayurvedashram becomes a quiet yet powerful healing tool. Each meal supports physical recovery, stabilises the mind, and nurtures emotional balance, reinforcing Ayurveda’s core belief that disciplined, conscious nutrition is fundamental to sustainable health and a balanced way of living.
Leisure at ShinShiva Ayurvedashram unfolds in quiet harmony with nature, shaped by its dramatic cliffside setting overlooking the Arabian Sea at Chowara, near Vizhinjam in Thiruvananthapuram. Elevated above the shoreline, the ashram offers expansive sea views without direct beach access, allowing guests to experience the calming presence of the ocean through open horizons, cooling sea breezes, and ever-changing light across the water. The natural surroundings—lush greenery, coastal air, and the steady rhythm of waves below—create an atmosphere that gently draws the mind inward, supporting mental relaxation and emotional balance .
Leisure here is intentionally unstructured, reflecting the Ayurvedic philosophy that rest and awareness are as vital as activity. Daily life flows at a slow, mindful pace, encouraging guests to spend time walking along quiet pathways, sitting in stillness with sea views, or simply observing nature from sunrise to sunset. These unhurried moments of solitude and reflection are considered an essential extension of the healing environment, helping guests detach from habitual distractions and reconnect with a quieter internal rhythm.
Yoga and meditation form a central pillar of leisure, seamlessly woven into everyday life at the ashram. Except on Sundays, daily group yoga or meditation sessions are conducted in a tranquil setting aligned with treatment routines and individual capacity. For guests seeking deeper personal guidance, private yoga or meditation sessions can be arranged at an additional cost. These practices provide gentle physical engagement, breath awareness, and mental clarity without exertion, while the remaining hours of the day are naturally devoted to rest, reading, journaling, or quiet conversation within an uncluttered, restorative ambience.
The ashram also features an open-stage space designed for cultural activities, which may be used for traditional performances or curated cultural programs depending on guest bookings and retreat schedules. These occasional events add a subtle cultural dimension to leisure, while remaining respectful of the overall calm and therapeutic intent of the retreat. Leisure activities are always planned to complement, rather than distract from, the healing journey.
Beyond the ashram, guests may explore the surrounding region at a gentle pace, subject to doctor’s permission, ensuring that excursions remain aligned with treatment protocols. ShinShiva Ayurvedashram is located in Aazhimala village, a traditional fishermen’s community, offering guests an authentic glimpse into local coastal life. Visits to nearby beaches—approximately three to four kilometres away—allow guests to observe traditional fishing practices, experience village life, and enjoy the cultural landscape without engaging in strenuous activity.
For transportation, tuk-tuks/ AutoRiksha are readily available at the nearby junction, providing a budget-friendly option for short local travel, while taxis can be arranged by the retreat upon request. For an additional cost, ShinShiva Ayurvedashram can also organise boating experiences and curated day trips to nearby attractions and local tourist locations, always ensuring that such outings are gentle, well-paced, and supportive of the guest’s overall wellness plan.
Whether spent in quiet contemplation overlooking the sea, participating in yoga and meditation, experiencing cultural moments, or lightly exploring the surrounding coastal village and landmarks, leisure at ShinShiva Ayurvedashram remains deeply aligned with its holistic philosophy—fostering balance, introspection, cultural connection, and a sustained sense of inner tranquillity throughout the healing journey.
The Ayurveda Centre at ShinShiva Ayurvedashram functions as the core of its healing philosophy, rooted in a 400-year-old Ayurvedic lineage and practised within a NABH-accredited traditional Ayurveda hospital. Recognised with the Ayur Diamond Classification by the Kerala Tourism Department, the centre upholds classical Ayurvedic principles with clinical discipline, ethical standards and patient-focused care. Treatments are delivered in a serene, nature-blessed environment overlooking the Arabian Sea, allowing healing to unfold in harmony with the elements.
All Ayurvedic programs begin with a detailed consultation, including assessment of Prakruthi (constitution) and Vikruthi (imbalance), followed by the creation of a personalised treatment plan. Care is guided by experienced Ayurvedic physicians, led by Dr. Shanthi Franklin, BAMS (MD), Ayurvedic Chief Physician and Managing Director, whose practice is shaped by both family legacy and evidence-based Ayurvedic application. Treatments focus on addressing root causes rather than symptoms, combining minimal medication with precise diet, therapies and regimens aligned with classical texts.
The centre offers a comprehensive range of Ayurvedic treatments and Panchakarma therapies, administered by certified therapists under strict medical supervision. Panchakarma follows traditional protocols, incorporating the five core procedures—Vamana, Virechana, Basti, Nasya and Rakta Mokshana—selected according to individual needs. These detoxification therapies are complemented by rejuvenation, nourishing and disease-specific treatments, forming a structured and progressive healing process. All Ayurvedic medicines used are sourced from GMP-certified herbal pharmacies, ensuring purity, safety and authenticity.
ShinShiva Ayurvedashram is experienced in treating a wide range of conditions, including infertility, stress-related disorders, diabetes management and reversal, weight management, arthritis, psoriasis, gynaecological disorders, sinusitis, migraines, sleep disorders, fatty liver, blood pressure concerns, neurological conditions, post-COVID care, prenatal and postnatal care, as well as early-stage chronic conditions. In addition to curative programs, the centre also offers rejuvenation, longevity, beauty care, slimming and monsoon therapy, supporting both preventive and restorative wellness.
Yoga and meditation are seamlessly integrated into the Ayurvedic treatment process, reinforcing physical stability, mental clarity and emotional balance. Guided by experienced instructors, daily sessions include Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation and Yoga Nidra, adapted to individual health conditions and treatment stages. Yoga is approached not as physical exercise alone, but as a therapeutic discipline that supports detoxification, recovery and long-term balance.
Therapies, Yoga, diet and lifestyle guidance are further strengthened through interactive Ayurveda lifestyle sessions, where doctors educate guests on daily routines, nutrition and self-care practices rooted in Ayurvedic wisdom. Together, these elements create a cohesive and traditional healing journey at ShinShiva Ayurvedashram—where Ayurveda is practised as a complete system of care, supporting sustainable wellbeing through personalised treatment, disciplined processes and deep respect for classical knowledge.
Arthritis
Psoriasis
Weight Management Program
ShinShiva Ayurvedashram is recognised for its commitment to authentic Ayurvedic healthcare through nationally acknowledged accreditations and classifications that reflect clinical integrity, safety standards and adherence to classical practices. Foremost among these is its status as a NABH-accredited traditional Ayurveda hospital, granted by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers under the Quality Council of India. This accreditation signifies that the institution consistently meets rigorous benchmarks in patient care, safety, hygiene, transparency and treatment protocols, covering every stage of the healing journey from consultation and diagnosis to therapy and aftercare.
Further strengthening its standing, ShinShiva Ayurvedashram has been awarded the Ayur Diamond Classification by the Kerala Tourism Department, the highest level of recognition granted to Ayurvedic centres in the state. This classification is reserved for institutions that demonstrate excellence in infrastructure, quality of care, qualifications of medical professionals and strict adherence to classical Ayurvedic treatment standards. The recognition affirms ShinShiva’s role as a trusted centre for both curative and rejuvenative Ayurveda, suitable for domestic and international wellness seekers alike.
Together, these recognitions reflect ShinShiva Ayurvedashram’s long-standing dedication to ethical practice, personalised patient care and the preservation of Kerala’s traditional Ayurvedic heritage. Rooted in a 400-year-old lineage of Ayurvedic practice, the ashram’s awards and accreditations stand not as decorative honours, but as assurances of credibility, discipline and authenticity. They reinforce the institution’s vision of offering genuine Ayurveda within a serene, nature-aligned environment, where tradition is upheld with professional responsibility and global standards of care.
Nestled in tranquility, the Kerala Wooden Bungalow at ShinShiva Ayurvedashram promises a charming escape. Each cozy abode boasts a personal terrace or balcony, inviting guests to bask in secluded outdoor serenity. Inside, discover modern amenities and a well-fitted bathroom, ensuring a seamless stay. These wooden sanctuaries offer panoramic vistas of the majestic Arabian Sea and verdant landscapes, immersing guests in Kerala's natural splendor. With added comforts like TV, WiFi, double bed suites, and air conditioning, this haven harmonizes relaxation with the allure of nature, creating an intimate retreat to unwind and reconnect.
FacilitiesTerrace / Balcony
Sea View
TV
WiFi
Double Bed Suites
Air Conditioning
Discover serenity at ShinShiva Ayurvedashram's Kerala Bungalow, offering a delightful stay surrounded by beauty. Each room features a charming terrace or balcony, inviting relaxation amidst stunning views of the Arabian Sea and lush greenery. With modern amenities, a well-appointed bathroom, and comforts like TV, WiFi, double bed suites, and air conditioning, this inviting haven is your perfect retreat to embrace Kerala's natural allure and unwind in style.
FacilitiesTerrace / Balcony
Sea View
TV
WiFi
Double Bed Suites
Air Conditioning
Step into a world of refined elegance within the Special Kerala Bungalow at ShinShiva Ayurvedashram, where a timeless ambiance is complemented by original furniture, exuding a charming and unparalleled style. Each detail contributes to a unique fusion of tradition and futuristic design, creating a sophisticated environment that promises an extraordinary experience for guests. This distinctive space welcomes guests with an air of sophistication. Elegant curtains allow the soft caress of natural light, creating a serene atmosphere that accentuates the allure of the space. The well-appointed bathroom, adorned with modern comforts, stands ready to provide a luxurious experience, ensuring a stay that lingers in memory. Equipped with modern conveniences including TV, WiFi, and air conditioning, the Special Kerala Bungalow offers a seamless blend of heritage and contemporary comfort. The allure of this space lies not only in its luxurious amenities but also in its ability to transport guests into a realm of unmatched sophistication and unparalleled comfort.
FacilitiesTV
WiFi
Double Bed Suites
Air Conditioning
The Special Kerala Wooden Bungalow at ShinShiva Ayurvedashram offers guests a unique and charming retreat. This thoughtfully designed accommodation features a cozy terrace/balcony, providing a perfect spot to unwind. Inside, guests will find a well-appointed bathroom and modern amenities for a comfortable stay. From the Special Kerala Wooden Bungalow, one can indulge in breathtaking views of the expansive Arabian Sea and lush green surroundings, adding to the serenity of the stay. Experience the essence of Kerala in this special and inviting space.
FacilitiesTerrace / Balcony
Sea View
TV
WiFi
Double Bed Suites
Air Conditioning
Check-in & Check-out
Check-in: 2:00 PM Check-out: 12:00 AM
Pre-Arrival Guidelines
You are requested to produce the following information along with health declaration form:
Child Policy
( Not Child-friendly)
Kids Allowed
Pet Policy
Pets are not allowed in the retreat
Visitors Policy
Right to admission of visitors into the retreat premises and guest areas remain solely with the management
Outside food/ beverages Policy
Alcohol Policy
Alcohol, Smoking and Tobacco is not permitted during your Ayurveda program and is strictly prohibited across the ShinShiva Ayurvedashram
ShinShiva Ayurvedashram require one month cancellation notice prior to your scheduled arrival date,otherwise we will charge you a cancellation fee as below.