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Gelephu
Tshachu - Hot springs |
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A
Bhutanese way of healing |
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In the well of a tsachhu
A
lot of people from all parts of Bhutan are travelling all the way to the
Gelephu tshachu (hot springs) to soak away joint pains, stomach aches and
skin diseases. But on reaching the tshachu, 15 kilometres from Gelephu,
they were disgusted; the spring water in the four bathwells looked like
stagnant soapy water with body dirt floating on the top. |
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"Instead
of curing ailments it looked like we might get more," said the couple as
they rushed back to Gelephu. Khandu, another visitor from Thimphu, said
that he took a quick dip in the tshachu by closing his nose after he was
forced by his colleagues. "The tshachu needs to be improved, it needs proper
drainage so that the water in the wells can circulate more easily."
The
Gelephu dungkhag administration plans the first major renovation since
the hot springs were opened to public in 1962. All the four wells will
be replaced with proper ponds and an improved drainage system. The bathwells
will be like the Gasa Tshachu.
The
surrounding area will also be improved with proper retaining walls as the
tshachu is located in the foothills and faces the risk of falling boulders
during the monsoon.
