Finding proper accommodation at Pel-Ling Menchhu (hot stone bath) under Tseza Gewog in Dagana will not be a problem soon. Tseza Gewog Administration has started works to develop better facilities for those visiting the Menchhu. The development works include the construction of a guesthouse, a kitchen and the installation of bathtubs at the site. Pel-Ling Menchhu is located around 19 kilometres from Dagana Dzong along Dagana-Wangdue Phodrang bypass.
The hot spring derives its name from the chiwog it falls under Pel-Ling. It is located in the middle of a thick forest around 1.6-kilometre from Pel-Ling village. Our Dagana correspondent Pema Tshewang met with 69-year-old Gyeltshen from Pel-Ling who shared the healing benefits that Pel-Ling Menchhu is believed to have.
“Once an elderly woman from Karna Gewog fell ill, she had shortness of breath, severe cough and had lost appetite. She continued to suffer despite conducting various religious rituals and visiting Gasa and Chhubu hot spring. But later she visited the Pel-Ling Menchhu and soaked for five days and surprisingly she gained appetite and was cured of all the illnesses,” he said.
The Menchhu is believed to cure tuberculosis, urinary tract infection (UTI), joint pains and stomachache, cuts and fractures. But not many know about its healing benefits due to the remoteness of its location. The place also lacks the facility to accommodate visitors.
Tseza Gewog Administration has allocated around Nu 2 M in the current financial year to replace the dysfunctional temporary facilities the locals built in the past.
“We have already awarded contract works to our community contractors. We will be constructing a guesthouse that can accommodate around nine people. There will also be a separate kitchen and washroom and a bathtub each for male and female visitors,” said Tseza Gup Phurba.
The construction of the public facility is expected to be complete latest by the first week of June this year. The gewog recently completed the construction of an access road for the hot spring.
Pema Tshewang, Dagana
