Srinagar, March 22 -- Every year on Navroz (the Parsi New Year) thousands of people from different parts of Kashmir undergo leech therapy, a traditional treatment which is effective for many long-term ailments. While it is not rare to find people lined up outside Unani and Ayurveda medicine centers, many other wait for Navroz to undergo the leech therapy in a traditional way.

On March 21, Navroz was celebrated in many parts of the world to mark the first day of the spring season. In Kashmir, besides plantation, people in large numbers visited Hazratbal area of Srinagar city to undergo leech therapy done as they believe that it is more effective on the day of Navroz than any other days.

Leech therapy or Hirudotherapy is locally known as ...