Did an Ayurvedic healer accompany PM Orbán to India?
PM Orbán’s private tour of Kerala, India, with his family, has drawn attention for its blend of cultural exploration, Ayurvedic connections, and luxury, raising curiosity about the costs of the Hungarian Prime Minister’s winter getaway.
PM Orbán in India
As we have reported HERE, PM Orbán is reportedly on a private tour in India with his wife, Anikó Lévai, and two of their daughters. According to Indian media, the family arrived on 3 January in Kochi, South India, a city renowned for its historical significance, including being the initial burial site of Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama.
After staying in Fort Kochi, they departed for Munnar, a popular tourist destination, and planned to explore other notable locations such as Thekkady, Kumarakom, and Alappuzha before returning on 16 January. According to local news outlets, the visit has garnered attention amidst ongoing Polish-Hungarian tensions, which led to the Hungarian ambassador in Warsaw being declared persona non grata. Indian media highlighted Orbán’s Kerala tour as a reflection of India-Hungary relations.
Ayurvedic healer?
As HVG reports, PM Orbán, currently on a private visit to Kerala, India, was photographed with Krishna Kumar, head of a traditional Ayurvedic healing centre in Hungary, according to independent MEP Ákos Hadházy. Kumar operates the Brahmayurveda Centre in Budapest and Albertirsa, specialising in Ayurveda, a 5,000-year-old Indian medicinal practice. His business, which also organises purification tours in Kerala, is co-owned by Hungarian billionaire György Gattyán, through Docler Holding. While the enterprise has reportedly faced financial challenges, Kumar’s promotional materials claim Ayurveda can cure all diseases. Hadházy highlighted the connection between PM Orbán’s Kerala tour and the origins of Ayurveda, linking the trip to Kumar’s work in Hungary.
Many question the price of the family trip
HVG also writes that PM Orbán’s private visit to Kerala, India, has sparked curiosity about its potential costs. Staying at the luxury Fragrant Nature Hotel, where rooms start at approximately HUF 70,500 (EUR 169.79) per night, and indulging in local Ayurvedic treatments, the family’s accommodation for 12 nights could exceed HUF 1.68 million (EUR 4,045.94), excluding taxes. The Prime Minister, accompanied by his wife Anikó Lévai, two daughters, and a five-member entourage, has been seen exploring Kochi in a convoy of auto rickshaws, visiting notable landmarks like the Mattancherry Palace and Santa Cruz Basilica.
Local guides estimate sightseeing tours in the area to cost as little as HUF 6,237 (EUR 15.02) per person, while a multi-city tour could significantly raise the overall expense. Travel costs add another layer to the holiday’s price tag. Flights from Budapest to Kochi range from HUF 361,000 (EUR 869.55) to over HUF 6.7 million (EUR 16,138.13) for four family members, depending on class and travel duration.
PM Orbán’s income
Given PM Orbán’s monthly net income of around HUF 4 million (EUR 9,635.17), combined with reported savings of HUF 10 million (EUR 24,087.92), these costs are within his means. However, expenses tied to security personnel, covered by state resources, could further increase the total. While Kerala is known for its rich cultural experiences and Ayurvedic heritage, PM Orbán’s trip underscores the exclusivity of such a winter getaway. However, we must note that all these calculations are guesses made by opposition politician Ákos Hadházy and Hungarian news outlets.
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Kumar’s promotional materials say Ayurvedic treatment can “cure all diseases”. A sucker and his money are soon parted.