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SPIRITUAL & WELLNESS
Retreat and Meditation
As the stronghold of Vajrayana Buddhism, meditation and retreats
is a common feature especially amongst the Buddhist practitioners
and the monks. One can come across small retreat centers and hermitages
all over the country next to temples, monasteries and monastic schools.
These retreat and meditation centers provide the Bhutanese with
the much needed respite from the humdrums of normal life style and
it is a common trait amongst the Buddhists to disappear into the
mountains for days, weeks and months. The retreats provide people
and the practitioners to draw upon their inner self and visualize
upon the purpose of life.
Many tourists from Thailand and other Buddhist countries come
to Bhutan for meditation and retreat tours. Some itinerary includes
serious meditation for days while some are solitary retreat for
few hours in the high hills and temples where nature surrounds and
silence is unbroken.
Bhutan Norter Adventure organizes the meditation tour itinerary
if you want to try this Bhutanese way of retreat (solitary confinement)
Spa and Wellness
Hot springs are found in most places in Bhutan and have been used
for centuries to cure the Bhutanese of various ailments ranging
from arthritis, body aches, to even sinuses. Come winter and it
is a tradition for the Bhutanese to visit the well known hot springs.
Known as Tshachus, the hot spring at Gasa in western Bhutan that
is situated close to the banks of the Mo chu river, is the most
desired for. The Gasa hot springs are frequented not just by the
people but even wild animals such as the Takin.
Getting to Gasa hot spring is about ten hours trek from Punakha
district or one can choose to travel half way by vehicle till a
village called Damji. From Damji is about six hours trek till Gasa
hot spring through beautiful hills of pine and oak forests. The
route also takes us through small villages, bamboo forests and small
streams. On reaching a pass one can see a beautiful view of Gasa
dzong(fortress) seated below snow covered mountain. On the way one
can enjoy nice outdoor picnic with packed lunch.
The other well known hot spring is the Chubu tshachu in Punakha.
This hot spring is also located by the banks of the Pho chu river
and can be reached within a days journey from Punakha town.
In central Bhutan in Bumthang, we have the Dur Tshachu. Located
in the village of Dur, this tshachu also has medicinal value and
are known to cure body aches. Then we have the Duenmang tshachu
in Zhemgang. Situated by the banks of Mangde chu, Duenmang tshachu
is also being frequented by the Khengpas and the rest of the Bhutanese
population.
In southern Bhutan, you have the Gelephu tshachu situated yet
again next to a stream. The tshachu is mostly frequented by the
local residents and in winter by the other Bhutanese people that
take trips to get cure themselves of diseases.
Besides, there is the Menchu, a tradition of heating up stones
and then soaking in the water that is in turn heated by the stones.
This is also a curative method and is used throughout the country.
Visit and experience yourself with Bhutan Norter Adventure.
Tradition Medicine
Traditional medicine or Sowa Rigpa as it is known dates as far
back as the 17th century and to the time of Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyal.
Since then, traditional medicine has developed independently of
its Tibetan origins and although the basic texts used are the same,
some differences in practice make it a tradition particular to the
country. The specific knowledge and experience gained by the Bhutanese
over the centuries are still very much alive in this medical tradition
that originated in Tibet. The natural environment, with its exceptionally
rich flora, also enabled the development of a pharmacopoeia of which
there is no equivalent anywhere in the world. This ancient principle
and practice of healing was passed on as an oral tradition to younger
generation till the system was formalized in 1967 as an integral
part of the national health care delivery system with the main aim
of preserving and promoting this unique system of medical care.
From a single Indigenous Dispensary in 1967, the traditional medical
service has grown rapidly over the years to cover the entire country.
By 2001, traditional medicine units have been established in all
20 Districts. They are attached to the district hospitals in view
of the national health policy of integration and are manned by a
Drungtsho (Doctor) and a Menpa (Compounder).
At the national level we have the National Indigenous Hospital
in Kawang Jangsa, Thimphu. A small-scale mechanised production unit
was started in 1982 with WHO support. The Indigenous medicine unit
was renamed as National Institute of Traditional Medicine in 1988
and a new Pharmaceutical and Research Unit commissioned in 1997.
In view of the increased functions, the NITM has been upgraded as
the Institute of Traditional Medicine Services in 1998. There are
three units under the ITMS. Tourists can avail free medical services
and also try out traditional medicines for ailments if any.
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