An old man takes a bath at a spring in Jhapni Pani near Sukurhutu village. Picture by Prashant Mitra

Khatanga Basti (Ranchi), Nov. 11: If you are suffering from a chronic ailment and have lost faith in medicine, the cure for you could be at Jhapni Pani. This is the name of the place where a small spring has originated from a crevice in a rock near Sukurhutu village, about 22 km from the capital. Jhapni Pani in local parlance means “hidden water”.

The water from the spring is believed to have medicinal properties and the villagers of Chamguru, Dumurtola, Siya Tola and Gagi Basti “worship” the “holy” water and are frequent visitors.

The road leading to the spring crosses the road to the site proposed for Greater Ranchi.

The road takes a sharp turn and the pathway zigzags through fields and mountains. After a distance one has to trudge on foot to reach the spot and cross Baglata and Siyarlata caves to reach the Jhapni Pani Pahad.

Villagers are secretive about the source of the water. However, on being coaxed, they take you to the spot where water collects in a small trough on the rock.

“No one knows the source of the water. I do not know since how long it has been here but I remember my grandfather saying that it has been here from time immemorial,” said Phouda Lohar, a blacksmith of Gagi Basti.

Phouda, a regular visitor to the spring, takes a bath whenever he feels low and tired.

“The water of the spring has something, which energises me and I feel fresh as ever,” Phouda added.

According to local practice, people who come to the spring, who are generally patients suffer from a disease, taking a bath here leave their clothes behind.

The patient is supposed to wear fresh clothes and not turn back after leaving the old clothes. It is believed that this way, the water from the spring will cure the person of his ailment.

A few other visitors at the spring explained that researchers from some institutes had come to Jhapni Pani to conduct studies about the source of the spring and analyse its properties. But there has not been any breakthrough so far.

Chief minister Babulal Marandi also visited the spring when he had come to inspect the site for the new capital. He promised to develop the place as a tourist spot.

“People also throw coins in the water hole as a token. Small children, who tend cattle, generally fish out the coins,” said Fakruddin, a resident of Khatanga Basti.

“My son was suffering from fever for the last one week. Medicines would lower the temperature but the fever would relapse as soon as the effect of the medicines wore out. My family members had brought him to the Jhapni Pani today and I am sure that he will be cured now,” said Fakruddin.

“There is no news of a spring, which can cure all ailments. At best it might eradicate a few minor dermal irritations and subside gout pains. But the claims of people that all diseases are cured by spring water is not approved by medical science,” said medical practitioner Siddharth Mukherjee.