Chimi Lhakhang is a Buddhist monastery in the Punakha district of Bhutan. It’s located on a hillock near Sopsokha village. A 30 minutes walk on trails through agricultural fields leads to this monastery on the hill.
Widely known as the fertility temple, the history of how this place came into existence is unusually interesting.
Chimi Lhakhang is dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenly who subdued a demoness with his mighty penis. Yep! Yep!
Lama Drukpa Kuenly was a 15th century saint from Tibet who was widely famous for his unconventional teachings and because of which he was nicknamed the “mad saint” and “divine madman”. It is believed that there was a demoness from Dochula area. The Lama took on the task of destroying her but she turned herself into a dog. That’s when Lama Drukpa Kunley subdued her with his penis and buried her under a hill. The hill is the spot where the Chimi Lhakhang now stands tall and mighty. The Lama’s penis is locally known as the flaming thunderbolt of wisdom because of its ability to subdue demons.
These divine symbols are present to greet the unaware tourists across Punakha and mainly the Sopsokha village. As you walk through the Sopsokha village, you will notice heritage style houses and giant phallus murals on all buildings in general. These giant erected penises in different colours and designs are painted on walls of homes and shops, carved in wood adorning entrances to temples and installed above doorways. The village is lined with shops selling phallus souvenirs, wooden charms, neckpieces.
The Chimi Lhakhang temple is thronged not just by the locals, but tourists from all over the world. It is believed that any childless couple who offers prayers at this temple is blessed with a child.
Well, for me, it was quite a delightful visit, thanks to the walk along the beautiful countryside through golden rice fields
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