Chimi Lhakhang
Chimi Lhakhang
Chimi Lhakhang is a unique and revered Buddhist temple, often called the “Temple of Fertility.” This sacred site is associated with the Divine Madman, Drukpa Kunley, a 15th-century Tibetan Buddhist saint known for his unorthodox and humorous methods of teaching Buddhism through songs, humor, and sexual innuendos.
Chimi Lhakhang was built in 1499 by Ngawang Chogyel, the cousin of Drukpa Kunley, in honor of the saint’s victory over a demoness that was terrorizing the region. According to legend, Drukpa Kunley subdued the demoness and trapped her in a rock near the temple site.
The temple is especially famous for its fertility blessings. Childless couples from Bhutan and around the world visit Chimi Lhakhang to receive blessings from a wooden phallus (a symbol associated with Drukpa Kunley) and seek his divine intervention for conception.
Architecture & Surroundings
The temple follows traditional Bhutanese architecture, with a golden spire, white walls, and colorful paintings. The interior houses statues of Drukpa Kunley, Sakyamuni Buddha, and other revered figures. The surrounding village, Lobesa, is adorned with phallic paintings on houses and walls, believed to ward off evil spirits—another legacy of Drukpa Kunley’s teachings.
Why it’s famous:
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