The stone bath

Hot-stone-bath is a popular form of medication practiced in Bhutan since time immemorial. There is no recorded history of its origin. In the olden times it was a luxury enjoyed by the well to do families. A whole day was spent to organize this particular event where the whole family took turns bathing.
This event was very elaborate. Most well to do families consulted their chief astrologer to look for an auspicious day to organize this event. It’s a general belief in Bhutan that any medication done on an auspicious day has more healing power. A team of able bodied men built a huge fire and heated rocks over it. Since it was for the whole family (then families consisted of over fifteen members) large amount of firewood and stones were used.