NAMASTE!
SPIRIT

AYURVEDA & YOGA EXPERTS

Meet World's most respected Ayurveda and Yoga experts.

INTERVIEWS

Questions and answers for our experts about ayurveda healing, yoga & travel.

AYURVEDA & YOGA RETREATS
STORY

TRAVEL THEMES

Explore the stories of ayurveda, Yoga & traveling by different interests.

PLACES

Discover the places, where ayurveda & yoga has its roots.

CALENDAR

Experience every day of the year in different rhythm & pace.

VIDEO & PHOTO

That's the way we see it!

ayurveda & yoga travel
STYLE

AYURVEDA & YOGA QUESTIONS

Every day we ask our experts one question about Ayurveda & Yoga.

AYURVEDA & YOGA THEORY

Learn more about the ayurveda & yoga history, theory & healing.

AYURVEDA & YOGA PRODUCTS

Every plant is a medicine, the question is when to use it.

ESSENCE OF AYURVEDA

Dr.George Eassey story to Ayurveda.

AYURVEDA & YOGA RESORTS
AYURVEDA TRAILS

What is Ayurveda? How is this ancient medical system connected with yoga, meditation, healthy food, relaxation in nature and modern life style?

Ayurveda trails are dedicated to everyone, who is searching answers to these questions. It does not want to be anything else, but art expression of healthy life style inspired by Indian ancient healing traditions, creating harmony with the dynamics of contemporary life.

TRAVEL WITH US
NEWSLETTER

Birds… a lot of birds… a lot of birds flying on the sky and warm gold round sunset in late crispy February evening, like this I remember my first visit of the Qutub Minar, symbol which marks the beginning of the Muslim rule in India, built in 1193 by Qutab-ud-din Aibak.

Sprit Image

When I saw picture of the ‘Golden Bird’ illustrated by Delhi based artist Kriti Monga  known as Turmeric Design, in my mind her birds were flying in front of Qutub Minar richly decorated by inscriptions in Parso-Arabic and Nagari characters, quoting verses from Quran

I typed two words in goggle search: 
BIRDS & QURAN

BIRDS OF THE HOLY QURAN

Birds make several appearances in the Quran, in a variety of contexts. They were part of unforgettable stories in prophetic history, appearing with such illustrious figures as Abraham, Joseph, Solomon, David, and Jesus.

RIGHT:
THE QUTUB MINAR
-
DELHI, INDIA
THE QUTUB MINAR - DELHI, INDIA © ZUZANA ZWIEBEL
ABOVE:
THE QUTUB MINAR
-
DELHI, INDIA

THE QUTUB MINAR is the tallest brick minaret in the world, inspired by the Minaret of Jam in Afghanistan, it is an important example of early Afghan architecture, which later evolved into Indo-Islamic Architecture. Qutab-ud-din Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi, commenced the construction of the Qutab Minar in 1200 AD, but could only finish the basement. His successor, Iltutmush, added three more storeys, and in 1368, Firoz Shah Tughlak constructed the fifth and the last storey. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with surrounding buildings and monuments.

THE SIMILITUDE OF MAN TO BIRDS

The Quran, in one of its verses clearly writes of a similitude between humans and birds:

And there is no animal in the earth, nor a bird that flies on its two wings, but (they are) communities like yourselves.
—
HOLY QURAN, chapter 6, verse 38

This verse indicates that there are two types of people. One, which like ants clings to the ground, and whose sight never rises above the world. Their purpose in life is no more than the satisfaction of their low desires and they spend their entire lives engrossed in their love of the world. These people have been likened to creatures like ants that crawl on the ground and cannot fly to any heights. The other type of people are those whose purpose in life is not this world, but the attainment to God. They fly to the heights, and as their wings gain strength and power, they rise higher and higher.

RIGHT:
THE QUTUB MINAR
-
DELHI, INDIA
THE QUTUB MINAR - DELHI, INDIA © ZUZANA ZWIEBEL
ABOVE:
THE QUTUB MINAR
-
DELHI, INDIA

THE QUTUB MINAR is a soaring, 73 m tall. The tower has five distinct storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony and tapers from a 15 m diameter at the base to just 2.5 m at the top. The first three storeys are made of red sandstone; the fourth and fifth storeys are of marble and sandstone. The development of architectural styles from Aibak to Tughlak is quite evident in the minar. The relief work and even the materials used for construction differ. The 238 feet Qutab Minar is 47 feet at the base and tapers to nine feet at the apex. The tower is ornamented by bands of inscriptions and by four projecting balconies supported by elaborately decorated brackets. Even though in ruins, the Quwwat Ui Islam (Light of Islam) Mosque in the Qutab complex is one of the most magnificent structures in the world.

ABRAHAM AND A CALM HEART

Prophet Abraham’s story with the birds is one of the most turned to stories in the Quran. The theme it evokes touches the soul of all of us who seek a kind of reassurance bird that satisfies our natural desires for both belief and proof.

The Prophet Abraham asks: “My Lord, show me how You give life to the dead.” He said, “Do you not believe?” He said, “I do! But this is so my heart may be calm.” He said, “Then take four birds and draw them to you. Then place a part of them on each mountain. Then call them; they shall come to you in a rush. And know that indeed Allah is overpowering, all-wise” 
—
HOLY QURAN, chapter 2, verse 260

According to Mosque Foundation, the most popular interpretation of this verse is that Abraham was ordered to take these birds and to physically cut them into pieces and to place each of these pieces on separate mountains. When Abraham called to them, Allah caused their parts to be rejoined and refilled with pulse and life. They then flew to Abraham with a speed that showed no sign of trauma, no sign that they had just been dismembered and scattered. And in this way did God show His prophet how He gives life to the dead. Abraham did not have doubt; what he wanted to know was “how” Allah gives life to the dead. Abraham had certainty that Allah gives life and causes death. What he sought was a higher level of certainty which involved his heart and eyes.

RIGHT:
THE QUTUB MINAR
-
DELHI, INDIA
THE QUTUB MINAR - DELHI, INDIA © ZUZANA ZWIEBEL
ABOVE:
THE QUTUB MINAR
-
DELHI, INDIA

THE QUTUB MINAR  COMPLEX initially housed twenty-seven ancient Hindu and Jain temples which were destroyed and their material used in the construction of the Qubbat-ul-Islam Mosque or Dome of Islam (later corrupted into Quwwat-ul Islam) next to the Qutb Minar, in the Qutub complex, built on the ruins of Lal Kot Fort built by Tomar Rajput ruler, Anangpal in 739 AD and Qila-Rai-Pithora, Prithviraj Chauhan’s city, the Rajput king, whom Ghori’s Afghan armies had earlier defeated and killed, at the Second Battle of Tarain.

JESUS AND MIRACLES

Jesus indicated the purpose of his appointment to his nation in the following words:

“And (make him) a messenger to the Children of Israel, (who will say), ‘Indeed I have come to you with a sign from your Lord in that I design for you from clay (that which is) like the form of a bird, then I breathe into it and it becomes a bird by permission of Allah. And I cure the blind and the leper, and I give life to the dead by permission of Allah. And I inform you of what you eat and what you store in your houses. Indeed in that is a sign for you, if you are believers.”
—
HOLY QURAN, chapter 3, verse 49

On Mosque Foundation page is written, that Jesus was never unclear of his role; never unsure of his humanity; never confused about the fact that God is God, and nothing else is or ever was to any degree. The miracles that came at his hands were by the power, permission, and grace of his Lord, Allah the Exalted, who aided His Prophet with miracles so that the people would heed his words and follow his mission. One of the miracles bestowed upon Jesus is him taking a clump of clay and shaping it into the form of a bird. When Jesus blew into it, this clay became a live bird, a miracle from Allah.

There are several other contexts in which the Quran mentions birds: Solomon and the Hoopoe, David and birds glorifying God, the birds pelting the Companions of the Elephant who marched from Yemen to destroy the Ka‘ba; the story of the crow and the sons of Adam; and more.

SOURCE: quran.com, Mosque Foundation and Reference to Birds in the Quran by Dr. Basharat Ahmad

TAGS:

MORE ARTIClES >>

TRAVEL WITH US

RELATED ARTICLES

TRAVEL WITH US

EDITED & PHOTOGRAPHED BY

ZUZANA ZWIEBEL

Founder & Director of Ayurveda Trails, healing collection of (extra)ordinary people and their stories, whose experiences are transferred into various trails shared by travelers.

STUDY

AYURVEDA

SPIRIT

STORY

STYLE
TRAVEL

WHAT IS AYURVEDA

WHO TO MEET

WHERE TO GO

WHERE TO STAY
HEALING

AYURVEDA & YOGA FOR YOU

AYURVEDA & YOGA RETREAT

AYURVEDA & YOGA TRAILS

AYURVEDA & YOGA RESORTS
COMMUNITY

LOGIN

TERMS & CONDITION

PRIVACY & SECURITY

AFFIALITE & PROGRAMME
COMPANY

ABOUT US

SYNDICATON

AYURVEDA FUND

CONTACT US
NEWSLETTER
MOST READ ARTICLES

VISHU FESTIVAL
NEW YEAR IN KERALA

AYURVEDA TRAILS

The Malayalam word kani literally means that which is seen first. The traditional belief is that one's future is a function of what one experiences, that the New Year will be better if one views auspicious joyful things as the first thing on Vishu.

10 REASONS WHY AYURVEDA TRAILS ARE DIFFERENT

AYURVEDA TRAILS

Ayurveda trails is using the symbol of mudra as reminder, healing is in your hands. We are creating a small collection of highly specialised ayurveda resorts run by passionate ayurveda experts, who want to keep authentic healing knowledge for modern world.

ART & AYURVEDA LIFESTYLE

ZUZANA ZWIEBEL

What is ayurveda? How is this ancient medical system connected with yoga, meditation, healthy food, relaxation in nature and modern life style? Ayurveda Trails is dedicated to everyone, who would like to travel and search answers to these questions.

NAVARATRI
Festival of Nine Goddesses

ZUZANA ZWIEBEL

Navaratri is a nine night festival that honors the Mother Goddess in all her manifestations. The worship, accompanied by fasting, takes place in the mornings. Evenings are for feasting and dancing. Each day has a different ritual associated with it.

ONAM
The Harvest Festival in Kerala

AYURVEDA TRAILS

Onam is the most popular festival in Kerala. It can be traced to the primitive harvest festival and also to the myth regarding King Mahabali - the benevolent asura ruler who brought peace and prosperity to his country. It is celebrated in August and September.

SADHYA
THE ONAM FEAST

AYURVEDA TRAILS

The importance of the feast to the Kerala's Onam celebration culture is captured in the famous Malayalam proverb: Kaanam Vittum Onam Unnanam - which means: One must have the Onam lunch even by selling one's property, if need be.

MANALTHEERAM AYURVEDA BEACH VILLAGE

ZUZANA ZWIEBEL

Manaltheeram Ayurveda Beach Village, gives you an opportunity to pamper yourself with a heavenly experience. Enter the world of holistic healing and let Ayurveda and meditation restore your physical, mental, spiritual and emotional equilibrium.

MANALTHEERAM
Dr. Hemalatha Manoj

ZUZANA ZWIEBEL

In Manaltheeram, we believe, that Ayurveda is a divine science of life, our hands should be pure to treat a patient. Sometimes we are not able to cure every one but it is important not to make any mistakes from our hands. We pray to God.

SOMATHEERAM AYURVEDA VILLAGE

ZUZANA ZWIEBEL

Somatheeram, the world’s first Ayurveda hospital set in a resort ambiance to provide Ayurveda healing and treatments programmes. With its exotic tropical beauty and tranquil hospitality, this getaway is the perfect place for relaxation and rejuvenation.

SOMATHEERAM - 01: BABY MATHEW

ZUZANA ZWIEBEL

The World’s First Ayurveda Tourist Resort: Baby Mathew, in 1985 together with his brother Dr.Pauly Mathew, has founded the world’s first ayurveda tourist resort Somatheeram in Kerala. How has this journey started?

CLIFF VIEW AYURVEDA RETREAT

ZUZANA ZWIEBEL

Cliff View Ayurveda Retreat is built in the Bauhaus style, which aims to reunite fine art and functional design, creating practical objects with the soul of artworks. The resort embrace the philosophy of traditional Ayurveda in modern style.

HARIVIHAR HERITAGE
Dr. Sri Kumar

ZUZANA ZWIEBEL

Harivihar, abode of the divine, is a 170 year old painstakingly restored royal heritage homestead located in Calicut. It offers unparalleled experience of staying in a heritage ambience and benefit from the goodness of Ayurveda and Yoga, two great contributions of India to mankind.

NEVERTHELESS REWIND

ATHEENA WILSON

I hesitated for publishing this story quite late, but there’s a beauty in rewinding. Makes me appreciate how all those days have become of me. The clever fall of dominoes of life events that led me to still standing. A very happy new year to all!

CGH EARTH
SWASWARA

ZUZANA ZWIEBEL

SwaSwara means your inner voice, this is a place of natural harmony to release, refocus and recalibrate the self. Inspired by the first sound of creation, the resort in Gokarana on Aum Beach is a perfect setting to enable one to hear the voice of the inner self.

SPROUTED GREEN GRAM SALAD

GITA RAMESH

Green gram is a powerhouse of nutrition. It has high nutritive value and can be consumed by anyone for improving health. Hence, this superfood is one of the most vital detoxifying agent as well as an energiser that helps to enhance the immunity of the body.

KAIRALI - THE AYURVEDIC HEALING VILLAGE

ZUZANA ZWIEBEL

There is no better place to get inside nature and rejuvenate with natural medicine than the sweet scented forests of Kerala's Pala trees. Time spent at this jungle paradise will allow you to experience the authentic healing practices of India.

More Articles
+

ayurveda trails pvt | © 2018