SIX HOT WATER SPRINGS ARE DISCOVERED IN POLONNARUW

Sri Lanka government reports said about ten natural hot water springs have been discovered in a scenic area close to the foothills of Dimbulagala hills in Plonnaruwa district.

Dr. S.D.Dharmagunawardena, a geologist who conducted experiments at the hot springs said, “the hottest spring in the area has water heated to about 61 degrees Celsius.” He said the heat is a remarkable one for a hot water spring.

The spring also close to Nelum Wewa irrigation tank, is surrounded by a scenic view in its back drop, making it a suitable place to develop as a tourist attraction, he said.

A hot spring is the emergence of hot water from the interior of earth. The hot water derives from the crust of the earth when ground water is heated geo-thermally, heat from the interior of the earth.

“The rate of temperature increase with depth is known as the geothermal gradient. If water percolates deeply enough into the crust, it will be heated as it comes into contact with hot rocks. The water from hot springs in non-volcanic areas is heated in this manner.”

Hot water springs are also believed to contain medicinal qualities, according to some believers, as the water contains certain minerals from the interior of the earth.

The researchers on the Polonnaruwa hot water springs said that these springs could be developed for public consumption, as bathing facilities.

Such springs also have been developed elsewhere for power generation. Around the hot water spring close to to Nelum Wewa, six other springs also have been discovered, sources said.

Year and Month : December, 2009

Number of Days : 1/2 Day from Polonnaruwa

Crew : 4 (between 25-45 years of age)

Accommodation : Polonnaruwa.

Transport : By ordinary vehicle. Public transport is also available from Polonnaruwa (Kaduruwela bus stand)

Activities : Photography, Hot water bathing, Scenic view of Nelumwewa, Birds watching

Weather : Sunny, clear sky

Route: Colombo - Kurunegala - Polonnaruwa - Sevanapitiya - Nelumwewa.

Relevant maps : 1:50000 maps of Aralaganvila (44) and Vakaneri (38)

The Nelumwewa hot spring has the highest recorded temperature among the hot springs in Sri Lanka. The temperature is 62 C and the main difference from the other hot springs is that it is located inside a “wewa”. The place can be approached within one hour from Polonnaruwa town. There is no point of going from Colombo just only to see the hot springs, but it can be included in your trip to Polonnaruwa sacred city or in a trip to the eastern coast (Pasikuda) through Polonnaruwa.

Both Nelumwewa and Galwewa are two joined small tanks used to store water for the paddy fields. We traveled about 1.5 kms around Galwewa on the bunt and crossed a bridge which separates 2 tanks. (Left side Nelumwewa and right side Galwewa). After going about 300 meters from the bridge we took the left hand turn to a gravel road and went for another 200 meters until we reach the Galwewa. Sorowwa of Galwewa was also seen before the bridge.

Why are These Types of Minerals Beneficial?

Sulfur is beneficial for a wide variety of conditions, including skin infections, respiratory problems, and skin inflammations.

Chlorides (sodium chloride) is beneficial for rheumatic conditions, arthritis, central nervous system conditions, post-traumatic and post-operative disorders, as well as orthopedic and gynecological disease.

Arsenic in larger doses is toxic in the human body, although small amounts may assist the body with plasma and tissue growth. Foot bathing in mineral waters with a high content of arsenic is used to address fungal conditions of the feet.

Boron builds muscle mass, increases brain activity and strengthens bones.

Calcium is effective at preventing water retention, increasing circulation and strengthening bones and nails.

Potassium aids in the normalization of heart rhythms, assists in reducing high blood pressure, helps to eliminate body toxins and promotes healthy skin. It energizes the body, helps to balance skin moisture and is a crucial mineral to replenish following intense exercise.

Bromides act to ease muscle stiffness and relax muscles.

Sodium and natural salts assist with the alleviation of arthritic symptoms, and may stimulate the body's lymphatic system when used in baths. It's important for the lymphatic fluid balance, which has a positive effect on the immune system function.

Balneotherapy may be recommended for wide range of illnesses, including arthritis, skin conditions and Fibromyalgia.

For centuries the benefits of therapeutic bathing have been recognized for the ability to relieve pain and improve the general well being of the body and the spirit. In fact, Balneotherapy is one of the oldest of medical procedures, well known and widely regarded throughout the world, where people have historically flocked to spas for recreation and treatment.

What is Balneotherapy?

Dead sea bath

Balneotherapy (from Latin: balneum, "bath") is the treatment of disease by bathing. It may involve hot or cold water, massage through whirlpool current water, relaxation or stimulation.

The bathing process involves particular types of water and fluids, rich in salts, minerals and other organic compounds, which are believed to have healing properties.

These include sulphur springs and concentrated salty water, such as found at the Dead Sea (in the middle east).

Hot springs, which are high in Radon (a radioactive substance) are also said to possess particular healing properties.

Mineral waters are rich in a particular substance that can be absorbed through the skin. Mineral waters are natural solutions, which are formed under specific geologic conditions. Originating in springs, they are bacteriologically pure and have a therapeutic potential.

Hot Water Springs,Trincomalee

The seven hot wells in Kanniyai is a compound on which visitors would find seven wells that contains water with different temperatures varying from cool to hot and very hot. There is some confusion regarding the Hindu legends on the creation of these wells, some believe that the wells were created by King Ravana of the Ramayana while others state that it was created by Vishnu. The hot wells are visited by both Buddhist and Hindu pilgrims that visit the wells in the early morning to bathe themselves with the water thereafter they pay a visit to the Koneswaram temple. It is believed that the water in these wells are of therapeutic value especially for those with conditions such a rheumatism and arthritis. Those who intend to bathe at the hot spring wells must keep in mind that it is a public bathing area.

Balneologists generally accept the following classification of mineral springs and the seven wells are contains scientifically standard rates as follows.

Cold Springs - temperatures below 77° F ( 25° C )

Tepid Springs - temperatures ranging from 77 - 93° F ( 25°-34° C )

Warm Springs - temperatures ranging from 93 F - 108° F ( 34° - 42° C )

Hot Springs - temperatures above 108° ( 42° C )

Access: 12 Km from Chaaya Blu Trincomalee.

Location: 45 minute drive from Chaaya Blu Trincomalee.

Definition and characteristics

The term "balneotherapy" is generally applied to everything relating to spa treatment, including the drinking of waters and the use of hot baths and natural vapor baths, as well as of the various kinds of mud and sand used for hot applications. Balneotherapy refers to the medical use of these spas, as opposed to recreational use. Common minerals found in spa waters are sodium, magnesium, calcium and iron, as well as arsenic, lithium, potassium, manganese, bromine, and iodine. All these may be contained in the peat that is commonly used in preparation of spa waters. Resorts may also add minerals or essential oils to naturally-occurring hot springs. Though balneotherapy commonly refers to mineral baths, the term may also apply to water treatments using regular hot or cold tap water.

Mud-baths are also included in balneotherapy, and the dirt and water used to mix mud baths may also contain minerals which are thought to have beneficial properties.

Pregnancy

Pregnant women's bodies go through lots of daily stresses, so a big day at the spa might seem like the perfect way to relieve them. But it's important to know that while some spa treatments -- especially ones honed by medical and spa professionals -- are alright for pregnant women to luxuriate in, others are strictly off limits.

To kick things off, let's cover some of the treatments that are perfectly safe for expecting mothers -- but with two important caveats. The first, that a mother-to-be should only visit spa professionals who are specifically trained to perform prenatal treatments. The second, that she must be having a normal pregnancy. If there are concerns that the pregnancy is not proceeding exactly as planned, she should consult her doctor before scheduling a spa visit.

Once such conditions are met, it's perfectly safe to enjoy some spa specials. For example, massage is generally green-lighted, although some experts disagree about whether it's wise to receive massages in the first trimester. Again, a certified prenatal massage therapist is a must, and tables with holes in the middle for the belly are dubious and likely best avoided for safety reasons since they don't adequately support the weight of the baby. Instead, a masseuse can perform a massage while the mommy-in-the-making is lying on her side propped up with pillows, or deliver a neck and back massage while she's seated upright. Pregnant women can also enjoy leg and foot massages for aching lower extremities.

Balneotheraphy - Healing with Water

What is thermal water?

Thermal water is identified as a hot water with composition rich in salts, iodine and gases. It emerges from natural thermal springs, spread all over the earth and practically on every continent, even in the oceans. In fact, the groundwater coming from hot springs is heated by geothermal processes and naturally flows to the land surface at a temperature of 70°F (approximately 21°C) or above. Geothermal springs can be found at places where magma is close to the surface, primarily in hotspot and volcanic districts or spreading ridge areas. The origin of many thermal springs can be found in aquifers, which are underground layers of rock and sand that contain water. Thermal water can also originate from artesian wells.



Following an example, the thermal water in the Gastein region (Austria) comes from natural hot springs, between 12,000 and 17,000 years old in the area of the Florentine Hill. It is rich in natrium chloride, emerging from a depth of 1,200 to 1,800m and coming out through solid rock on the surface. Its temperature is between 56°C and 68.8°C and the veryday productivity of the springs is around 800,000 litres of thermal water.

What is actually the process that thermal water goes through? Examinations for the Gastein region show that rain water seeps into the area of Graukogel and Hüttenkogel (approximately 1,800 meters above sea level), after that drops down to a depth of 2,000 meters, warms itself deep underground, and rises again up to about 1,000 meters above sea level. It emerges up in the Badberges area in Bad Gastein, from 17 different springs with a capacity of five million litres per day.

Another example refers to the thermal waters in the Gulf of Suez area, Egypt, Sri Lanka which temperature ranges from 32 to 70°C and are being emitted from springs and shallow artesian wells. According to a chemical study it was proven that the waters are paleometeoric waters from the Nubian sandstone aquifer. After examining the chemical and isotopic compositions of some solutes, the results indicated possible contributions from Tertiary sedimentary aquifer rocks and windblown deposits in the recharge area. There is a suggestion that the waters have been heated by percolation to a depth of several kilometers along the regional geothermal gradient.