Jaipur: Now look forward to new age healing through mantras! Sanskrit scholars of Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Rajasthan Sanskrit University have initiated a research project, said to be the first of its kind, to treat various diseases through Vedic chants.

A state-of-the-art astrological lab costing Rs.8 million ($1.5 million) will be set up in the university premises. The city-based National Ayurveda Institute is also participating in the research.

The lab would involve modern scientific gadgets and instruments like high-capacity binoculars, telescope, cameras etc to enable scholars to observe the planetary and other solar activities.

Different teams would be constituted on the basis of the ancient Indian science of Ayurveda, the Vedas and astrology to diagnose about 100 general and incurable diseases and their treatment.

In a two-year period, the scholars would analyse and study the impact of rays of various planets and other celestial bodies through various perspectives, bringing into practice traditional Indian treatment and therapies mentioned in Vedic literature.

Experts claim that solar therapy, radiotherapy and several other present-day treatments are actually based on Ayurveda. They also said that if the research proves to be successful, the treatment would be cheaper.

"If the project is successful then people would certainly get a better and cheaper treatment facility without any side-effects", said Ramdev Sharma, an Ayurvedic doctor.

"The project is in a preliminary stage and will only take off in the next couple of months. We expect good results", Vinod Shastri of the University of Rajasthan, told sources.

"Each letter of Vedic mantra has immense power. After knowing the symptoms, diseases can be treated effectively through a combination herbs and mantras," said Shastri, who is also an eminent astrologer.