List of hot springs and mineral springs of Bhutan

Background

In Bhutan, hot spring is locally known as Tshachu and the mineral water as Drubchu. There is another kind of water known as smenchu (medicinal water). Spiritually, it is believed that tshachu, drubchu and smenchu owe their origin to the good wishes and blessings of Buddhas and Boddhisattavas. Hence, most of these types of water are found in the areas of gNyes (sacred sites). Tshachu is the most popular one among the Bhutanese. Unlike in other countries, where tshachu is more commonly used for recreation and relaxation, in Bhutan it is mainly used as a therapy for treating diseases. Mindful of the health benefits that tshachu deliver to the Bhutanese people, the Institute of Traditional Medicine Services documented and classified the tshachu according to the therapeutic properties described in the ancient gSo-ba Rig-pa textbook. According to this textbook, tshachu contain a combination of rdo-sol (coal), mu-zi (sulphur) and rdo-sho (limestone). Because of the presence of these minerals most of the tshachu have medicinal value. In 2007, Wangchuk and Dorji first reported on the history and spiritual benefits of tshachus in Bhutan and also provided a list of popular tshachus. In 2011, Wangchuk gave detailed explanation and description of different types of tshachu, drubchu and smenchu in his book chapter on 'An Indigenous Panacea of Bhutan' written for the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Bhutan, Paro Museum. In 2014, Wangdi and Wangdi described a list of tshachus and drubchus, which are provided below. ^[1] ^[2]

Hot springs

Chuboog Tshachu (Punakha)
Koma Tshachu (Punakha)
Gasa Tsachu (Gasa)
Wachey Tsachu
Gayza Tshachu (Gasa)
Dhur Tshachu (Bumthang)
Duenmang Tshachu (Zhemgang)
Gelephu Tshachu (Sarpang)
Khambalung gNey Tshachu (Lhuntse)
Yoenten KuenjungTshachu (Lhuntse)
Pasalum Tshachu (Lhuentse)

Mineral springs

Bjagay Menchu (Paro)
Dobji Menchu (Paro)
Bjagay, Tokay, Mage-Phenday, Loyee Menchu (Gasa)
Kabisa Menchu (Punakha)
Dangchu Wangchu (Wangdue Phodrang)
Ura Dangchu (Bumthang)
Dangkhar Menchu (Zhemgang)
Aja gNey Menchu (Mongar)
Bharab Menchu and Chethag Menchu (Lhuentse)
Menchugang Pho-mo Menchu (Lhuentse)
Dhonphangma Menchu (Trashigang)
Khabtey Menchu (Trashigang)
Tokey Menchu (Gasa)
Khowabokto Menchu (Phobjikha Valley)
Gela Menchu (Phobjikha Valley)
Zeeba Menchu^[3] (Phobjikha Valley)
Pisting Menchu^[4] (Phobjikha Valley)
Khasa Menchu (Phobjikha Valley)
Dungchen Menchu^[5] (Dagana District)
Gewo Menchu^[6]
Menchu Karp^[7](Thimphu)
Korphu Menchu (Trongsa)
Zami Menchu^[8] (Gasa)
Menchu Karp (Gasa)
Ake Menchu (Gasa)
Yame Menchu (Gasa)
Bakey Menchu (Gasa)
Rekayzam Menchu (Wangdue Phodrang)

References

^ { Wangchuk, P., Dorji, Y. 2007. Historical Roots, Spiritual Significance and the Health Benefits of mKhempa-lJong gNyes Tshachu (hot spring) in Lhuntshe. Journal of Bhutan Studies, Volume 16, Summer Issue, 112-128.Accessed from: http://himalaya.socanth.cam.ac.uk/collections/journals/jbs/pdf/JBS_16_04.pdf
^ { Wangchuk, P. 2011. Healing through spirituality, waters and herbs: an indigenous panacea of Bhutan. Intangible Cultural Heritage of Bhutan, Paro Museum, Bhutan.
^ "A Brief Description of Traditional Bhutanese Hot Stone Bath". Phuentsho's blog. 28 July 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
^ "A medicinal water". Phuentsho's blog. 16 September 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
^ "Dungchen Menchu". Tourism Council of Bhutan. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
^ "Gewo Menchu (Medicinal Water Bath)". TUSHITA ECO-VENTURES. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
^ "Hot soaks of the Himalaya: Of Tsachu's". Hot soaks of the Himalaya. 25 February 2011. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
^ "Gasa: Bhutan Raven Nest Tours And Treks". www.bhutanravennest.com. Retrieved 21 September 2016.

^[1] ^[2]

External links

"Tshachus and Menchus". Retrieved 2016-09-16.

^ { Wangchuk, P., Dorji, Y. 2007. Historical Roots, Spiritual Significance and the Health Benefits of mKhempa-lJong gNyes Tshachu (hot spring) in Lhuntshe. Journal of Bhutan Studies, Volume 16, Summar Issue, 112-128.Accessed from: http://himalaya.socanth.cam.ac.uk/collections/journals/jbs/pdf/JBS_16_04.pdf
^ { Wangchuk, P. 2011. Healing through spirituality, waters and herbs: an indigenous panacea of Bhutan. Intangible Cultural Heritage of Bhutan, Paro Museum, Bhutan.

[1] { Wangchuk, P., Dorji, Y. 2007. Historical Roots, Spiritual Significance and the Health Benefits of mKhempa-lJong gNyes Tshachu (hot spring) in Lhuntshe. Journal of Bhutan Studies, Volume 16, Summer Issue, 112-128.Accessed from: http://himalaya.socanth.cam.ac.uk/collections/journals/jbs/pdf/JBS_16_04.pdf

[2] { Wangchuk, P. 2011. Healing through spirituality, waters and herbs: an indigenous panacea of Bhutan. Intangible Cultural Heritage of Bhutan, Paro Museum, Bhutan.

[3] "A Brief Description of Traditional Bhutanese Hot Stone Bath". Phuentsho's blog. 28 July 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2016.

[4] "A medicinal water". Phuentsho's blog. 16 September 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2016.

[5] "Dungchen Menchu". Tourism Council of Bhutan. Retrieved 21 September 2016.

[6] "Gewo Menchu (Medicinal Water Bath)". TUSHITA ECO-VENTURES. Retrieved 21 September 2016.

[7] "Hot soaks of the Himalaya: Of Tsachu's". Hot soaks of the Himalaya. 25 February 2011. Retrieved 21 September 2016.

[8] "Gasa: Bhutan Raven Nest Tours And Treks". www.bhutanravennest.com. Retrieved 21 September 2016.

[9] { Wangchuk, P., Dorji, Y. 2007. Historical Roots, Spiritual Significance and the Health Benefits of mKhempa-lJong gNyes Tshachu (hot spring) in Lhuntshe. Journal of Bhutan Studies, Volume 16, Summar Issue, 112-128.Accessed from: http://himalaya.socanth.cam.ac.uk/collections/journals/jbs/pdf/JBS_16_04.pdf

[10] { Wangchuk, P. 2011. Healing through spirituality, waters and herbs: an indigenous panacea of Bhutan. Intangible Cultural Heritage of Bhutan, Paro Museum, Bhutan.