More on Siddha Medicine-

Volunteers are most

welcome and we
have long term and
short term
opportunities
available!

Martuvam is a
continuously
growing center
that requires alot
of energy and
innovation.

One of the oldest medical systems know to

mankind, this system originated from Tamil
Nadu of south India as part of the trio Indian
medicines - Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani.
This system was extremely popular in
ancient India and is considered to be one of
the most ancient traditional medical systems
in south India

Your tasks may include:

All kinds of gardening work

Harvesting and preserving
medicinal plants
Creating educational materials
Manual and construction work
Public relations work

Martuvam can also offer you a space for

your own healing practice
Martuvam Healing Forest
Annai Nagar
Alankuppam
Auroville 605 111
Website: www.martuvam.org
Email: Martuvam@auroville.org.in

Siddha is believed to be developed by the

18 siddhars of the south India. Siddhars were
spiritual adepts who possessed the ashta
siddhis, or the eight supernatural powers.
Sara Agathiyar, the first siddhar, is believed
to have been given the Siddha system of
healing by Lord Muruga, son of the Hindu
God Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi.
Agathiyar and his 17 disciples contributed
thousands of texts on Siddha, including but
not limited to medicine, and established a
system of healing that is still in practice
today.

Martuvam Healing Forest

Annai Nagar
Alankuppam
Auroville 605 111

About Us-

Martuvam
Healing
Forest is a 7.5 acre
medicinal forest and
garden in the western
periphery of Auroville
near the Tamil village
of
Annainagar.
Beginning in 2002,
Sivaraj, his wife, Malar,
their three children,
and friends of Auroville have used traditional
cultivation and harvesting techniques to turn
their barren plot of land into a multidimensional healing centre and educational
haven.

Mission- Our aim is to grow

and provide medicinal herbs
to the community. We are
committed to educating all
peoples about the
traditional Indian medicine
system of Siddha and
encouraging a holistic
lifestyle

Friends from the Pitchandikulam Bio

Resource Centre in Auroville, where Sivaraj
once
worked,
gave
enormously
of
information and seedlings, which have
grown into a lush, natural forest and have
provided the raw materials for the centres
herbal medicines.

The Healing Forest and Herbal GardenMartuvam is home to thousands of

medicinal plants, bushes and trees of more
than 100 varieties. The plants are grown
organically without pesticides, herbicides or
fungicides and are used directly in medicine
prepared at the Siddha Clinic.
Furthermore the Healing Forest is a place
where villagers and guests can learn about
the healing qualities of the plants. Martuvam
conducts workshops, clinics, volunteer
opportunities and forest walks. Local
villagers are welcome to collect plants as
they need.

Work on the new Herbal Garden began in

2006. Still in its early stages, this project will
increase the number and variety of
medicinal plants available, as well as create
new opportunities to learn about the
cultivation and harvesting of traditional
herbs.

Siddha Medicine Clinic- Studying under

guru Dr. Salvarasu Sivaraj has received a
diploma in Siddha medicine, a healing
system similar to Ayurvedic. Sivaraj provides
consultations and treatments, massages,
workshops, and education and information
about herbal wellness practices. Villagers of
lower casts have access to free or low cost
treatment. In collaboration with Dr. Charles,
BIMS, AMRC, Sivaraj provides his services to
the community at the ARKA centre a few
days a week.

Martuvam is home to a
small and developing
clinical facility where the
herbs are processed into
medicines and some
services are provided.
The clinic also offers the
use of its facilities to
healing
practitioners
visiting Auroville.
Village Sports Ground- Sanctioned by the
Joint Development Council, Auroville Land
Service and Village Action, Sivaraj is working
tirelessly to turn an unused plot of land near
Annaingar into a sports ground for village
children. Volunteers from both communities
helped in 2002 and 2004 to fill holes and
ready the land. Sivaraj continues manage the
task and work with the village, Auroville and
the youth themselves to level the field and
complete the project.
Malar India- Under the
umbrella of Aurovilles
ABC program, this project
began as a way to
provide skills and income
for local women living in difficult
circumstances. At present,
Sivaraj, with the help of his
wife Malar, has drawn on his
experience with Aurovilles
Maria Grazia and Janaka Art
Studio to create the Energy
Bedcovers initiative, which
produces quilted and patchwork bedcovers, replete with
traditional south-Indian kolam
designs. Materials range from cotton to
recycled silk saris and are hand stitched
using loving, healing energy by women
trained by Healing Touch.