Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 21: Hundreds of Shi’ite Muslims in Kashmir turned to traditional leech therapy on Navroz, the Persian New year, and seeking relief from chronic ailments in a practice passed down through generations.
Believed to be particularly effective on this day, leech therapy attracted patients suffering from conditions such as fatty liver, hypertension, frostbite, and blood clotting. Long queues formed at treatment sites, especially at Dargah Hazratbal, where patients applied leeches to various body parts to extract impurities.
Farooq Ahmad, who had struggled for years with varicose veins despite trying multiple treatments, found hope in the therapy. “I have been suffering from varicose veins for years and tried different medicines, but nothing worked. This is my first time trying leech therapy, and I am hopeful,” he said. Click here to watch video
Manzoor Ahmad, a seasoned practitioner from a family of leech therapists, vouched for its effectiveness, citing his four decades of experience. “This practice has been in our family for generations. It is highly effective for conditions like frostbite and blood circulation issues. Thousands have benefited from it, which is why so many people come here,” he said.
Leech therapy, which dates back centuries, continues to thrive in Kashmir, especially during Navroz. However, due to the decline of local leech populations, practitioners now source them from outside the region. “Our forefathers advised using leech therapy on this day for good health,” said another practitioner. “People from districts like Ganderbal, Handwara, and Kupwara come here every year, especially those suffering from frostbite on their ears and feet,” a local said.
Despite advancements in modern medicine, people continue to rely on this centuries-old therapy, believing in its ability to purify the blood and treat ailments that conventional treatments fail to address. “It is part of our faith, and we believe there is a divine cure in applying leeches on this day. We have been relieved of several ailments over the years due to leech therapy. It keeps us healthy for the rest of the year,” another local said.
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