ONLY IN PERU: Shanay Timpishka River-the boiling river.
Photo: boilingriver.org

Today, let's read this article to know more about this Shanay-Timpishka River with Knowinsider.com.

Where is this mysterious river, Shanay-Timpishka?

Hidden deep in a remote area of Peru’s central jungle, you’ll find an incredible natural wonder which is still not fully understood by scientists. The boiling river in Peru was once thought to be merely a legend, and only a handful of local people had visited it or were even aware of its existence.

Scientists believe they have discovered the world’s largest thermal river, running hot for nearly four miles and reaching up to 80 feet at its widest point and 16 feet at its deepest. It is deemed remarkable in that it is non-volcanic. The nearest active volcanic area is actually more than 430 miles (700km) away.

Some parts of the river are said to be so hot that various animals that have fallen into it have boiled instantly, according to geoscientist Andrés Ruzo who discovered the river and leads the project.

The total river system is about 9 kilometers (5.5 miles), but it is the 6.24 kilometers (3.8 miles) on the lower part of the river that are hot. Most of that flow, particularly during the dry season, is hot enough to kill you. Small mammals, reptiles, or amphibians regularly fall in and are boiled alive. One of the things I love about being there is that it forces you to be extremely intentional with every step, because there can be really serious consequences if you do fall in.

The myth about Shanay-Timpishka River

The local folks have a strong belief that boiling water is releasing by a giant serpent (Yacumama) “Mother of Waters” a large serpent head-shaped boulder at the river’s headwaters. The boiling river is 6 meter deep and 25 meters wide but only 6.4km long. According to charismaticplanet.com, the water temperature varies from 50 to 90-degree centigrade, and a little portion is touching 100 degree, which is hot enough to cause third-degree burns within a seconds.

Therefore, ill-fated animals have fallen into the river and got killed. Every year, a lot of tourists visit Mayantuyacu to experience the traditional medicinal practices of the Ashaninka people. Many believe, this natural wonder has managed to elude widespread notice for more than 75 years.

Shanay-Timpishka River

The traditional name for this river is Shanay-Timpishka, which translates literally as “boiled with the heat of the sun” in the Asháninka Language. The temperature of the water has been measured at just below 100°C–not enough to actually boil but certainly hot enough to kill any creature that ventures in. Further downstream, as Shanay-Timpishka combines with other, colder streams, the water becomes a much more reasonable temperature and it’s actually possible to climb in and enjoy a bath. Just make sure you’re extremely careful, as you can severely injure yourself if you enter at a point where the water is still too hot.

Unfortunately, much of this part of the central jungle in Peru has suffered from intense deforestation due to logging and other resource extraction. While the part of the forest directly surrounding the river is relatively pristine (and, in fact, deforestation nearby has probably driven even more wildlife into what forest remains), the sanctity of this unique ecosystem is still very much at risk. The hope is that, with scientists and local citizens working together to protect the site, the rainforest surrounding this incredible natural wonder will remain intact for future generations to enjoy.

ONLY IN PERU: Shanay Timpishka River-the boiling river.
Geoscientist Andrés Ruzo crouching by the Boiling River which he uncovered in 2011 CREDIT: DEVLIN GANDY/THE BOILING RIVER PROJECT

Mayantuyacu Healing Center

According to local people, the boiling river has always been considered a place of great power and spiritual significance. It is said that in the past, the people were afraid to enter the area for fear of evil spirits and man-eating jaguars. Only the most powerful shamans would dare to enter. Nowadays, the boiling river is home to a small handful of spiritual healing centers, the oldest and most famous of which is called Mayantuyacu (“the water and the air”), as Corconative indcated.

Maestro Juan Flores, the shaman of Mayantuyacu, is a member of the Asháninka tribe and descends from a long line of traditional healers. Many visitors every year make the journey deep into the forest to Mayantuyacu to learn about ancient healing techniques. These practices including drinking the potent hallucinogenic tea known as ayahuasca, as well as taking tobacco and other plant medicines.

How to Visit the Boiling River in Peru

The boiling river in Peru is located in the extreme east of the Huánuco Region, near its border with the Ucayali Region. Shanay-Timpishka, as the river is known locally, is a small tributary of the Pachitea River. The Pachitea is itself a tributary of the massive Ucayali River, one of the Amazon River’s primary sources. Boats travelling to the boiling river’s trailhead usually leave from the small frontier town of Honoria, which is about 3 hours by car from Pucallpa, the closest major city.

Those wishing to visit the boiling river in Peru should do so with a knowledgeable guide since the area is quite remote and inaccessible. Tours and hikes to the area will usually leave from the city of Pucallpa. If you wish to take part in a traditional healing ceremony at Mayantuyacu or another retreat centre, make sure to arrange this ahead of time as spots are limited and often book up much in advance.

Who discovered boiling river?

The PhD student in geophysics at Southern Methodist University in Dallas,Texas, first heard about the river several years ago from his father who shared a story about Spanish conquistadors encountering a mysterious terrifying river that boils from below while they were attempting to kill the last Inca emperor.

The river came up in conversation again, years later, from his aunt who claimed she’d seen this river before and even swam in it. Curious to get to the bottom of its existence, in 2011 he went on a hike, led by his aunt, through the jungle where it was said to be found, and was amazed to see the legendary river with his own eyes.

“At a time when everything seems mapped, measured and understood, this river challenges what we think we know,” he said at the TED conference.

“It has forced me to question the line between known and unknown, ancient and modern, scientific and spiritual. It is a reminder that there are still great wonders to be discovered.”

Maestro Juan Flores runs the Mayantuyacu healing centre in Peru

Since his discovery, Mr Ruzo launched the Boiling River Project for the research and protection of the river and its surrounding area, including its rich and diverse plant and wildlife, which preliminary studies have indicated are found in the jungles along the river.

Shrouded with layers of legends, spirituality and mysticism, the Boiling River is considered a sacred place to its local community.

The river area is also home to the Santuario Huistin and the Mayantuyacu, two native Amazonian healing communities, who have long considered it a sacred site and place of spiritual powers that only the most powerful community healers would visit “to commune with the spirits” and learn about the secret healing powers and rituals of their predecessors.

Source: Telegraph
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