Ever heard of a bath that can cure diseases? A hamam (a Turkish word that means bath) in Bhopal offers you hot spa and massages that can cure a number of diseases. This 300-year-old spa, situated in Kamla Park is the only running hamam in India.
A small lane leads you to the home where this bath is situated. A board at the gate reads ‘Kadimi royal hamam garam ho gaya hai’. Another one reads ‘Dipawali se Holi tak’. This means that the hamam runs round the year.
The moment you step inside you feel the warmth because of the steam that releases from the hamam. The warmth in itself relaxes you.
Naseema Bi who works there tells you that their family has been serving at this haman for generations.
“This hamam has been passed down to us by our forefathers. We are the fifth generation,” she says and tells you that the hamam was originally meant for the nawabs and the begums.
“Earlier it was only meant for the royal family but then the nawabs were impressed by the service of our forefathers. They were gifted this hamam. Since then it has been opened for the general public as well. Now, both women and men come to the place. We are pleased to serve the public and cure their diseases, naturally,” she tells you.
A bath here costs `1,100 and people from all over India and sometime abroad too visit the bath. “The footfall increases in the winter season. Because it is the time when everyone wants to come and enjoy a hot steam bath, even if they don’t suffer from any disease. It is good for relieving stress and relaxing too,” she says.
Homemade special Ayurvedic oils and a special mitti ka paththar which is made in Ajmer on special orders, is used in the process.
“First, we give steam bath to the person for 10 to 15 minutes. Second, comes the scrub part, which is done with the mitti ka paththar for another 10 to 15 minutes. Third, we give massages focusing on the affected areas. The oils used help to relieve any stress or pressure on the nerves and the muscles. It is done for 15 to 20 minutes. The whole process takes almost an hour,” Naseema tells you.
The hamam demands renovation and repair, every year since the bath house is so old. The upkeep is expensive. It costs Naseema Bi between `25,000 to 30,000. She prefers to do the repair work herself since she feels it is her duty and responsibility to take care of the hamam. Also, no mason can do the work according to her satisfaction.
The hamam does not work on any newage methods. It follows the traditional practice generating steam through burning wood.
“We have a cemented room below which we fire woods which thereby generates steam. The wood has to burn continuously no matter whether the hamam is working or not, in order to generate enough steam for the customers. We start at 8 am to 2 pm for females, and 2 pm to 8 pm for males,” Naseema Bi says.