Soaking in hot stone baths, locally known as Menchhu is one of the traditional methods to cure various diseases in the country. One such Menchhu is located at Karsa Yungba in Silambi Gewog of Monggar. But lack of amenities has been restricting people from harnessing the full benefits of the medicinal water. The villagers believe that the hot stone bath not only benefits in curing diseases such as headaches, stomach aches, and joint pains but also helps to treat goitre.
The villagers believe that drinking or soaking in the Menchhu located at Nagor village is not only known for curing various diseases but also for treating goitre. 66-year-old Kencho is a beneficiary of the Menchu’s healing power.
The father of five says his goitre was treated when he was 18 after drinking and soaking in the Menchhu. He said he visited the hot stone bath when he was around 13 years old.
Kencho said, “As instructed by my uncle, I took an egg, hit it on a stone at the site and assumed that I had broken my goitre just as I had broken the egg and left it there. He told me not to look back after breaking the egg and I did what he told me. Two to three years later, the goitre had disappeared from my neck and I believe that all those led to the disappearance of the goitre.”
Similarly, the villagers also shared the benefit of the Menchhu. They say it not only goitre but also cures several diseases.
“I have visited all the hospitals in the country but my stomach ache could not be cured. After taking a bath for about two to three weeks in the Menchhu, I can now take chillies. Now I do not have a stomach ache,” said Kelzang Dolma, a resident of Goenpa in Silambi Gewog.
“I have seen people getting cured from wounds. It also benefits people who cannot walk. None of the people here in Silambi have goitre. This, I believe is because our parents told us that people who drink the water will not have goitre,” said Lhawang Dorji, a resident of Pang in Silambi Gewog.
“People are saying that the Menchhu can cure joint pain and many other illnesses. That’s why I initiated the construction of a toilet and concrete bathtub and pitched a tent. The gewog office and the people have also rendered support,” said Norbu Tshering, a resident of Nagor in Silambi Gewog.
The villagers said that to encourage more visitors, they say relevant authorities need to improve the facilities. To this, the gewog administration said it has plans to construct basic facilities in the 13th Five-Year Plan.
Silambi Gup Dorji Wangchuk said, “It is well known that the Menchhu can cure all diseases such as headache and joints pain among others. On top of that, we had some people with goitre in the villages but after drinking the water and soaking in it, their goitres were treated. That’s why the gewog office is prioritising to construct amenities there.”
The gewog administration has plans to construct a guest house, a kitchen, a dining hall, car parks, bathtubs and toilets with electricity connection worth about Nu 3 M. Through that, the gewog office aims to encourage more visitors to visit the area and also boost the local economy.
Karma Wangdi, Monggar
Edited by Kipchu
