The Fertility Temple-Chimi Lhakhang

Fertility temple in Punakha, Bhutan

Chimi Lhakhang, known as the fertility temple is a Buddhist monastery built by Ngawang Choegyel in 1499 and a small stupa (Chorten) which stands adjacent to the temple today was blessed by Buddhist leader Drukpa Kuenley, also known as the Divine Madman.

The Buddhist leader, Drukpa Kuenley introduce Buddhism in Bhutan and his teachings were bizarre with sexual overtones. Sometimes referred to as “The saint of 5000 Women” due to his unusual lifestyle full of women,wine and poetries. His penis as a symbol is known as “Thunderbolt of Flaming Wisdom” and thus one can easily find building walls adorned with phalluses. Because of the monastery’s supposed fertlity inducing power, lots of visitors travel to the monastery. A monk uses wooden phalluses to bless women seeking blessings to beget children.

The hike to this beautiful monastery takes around 30 mins through rice fields and amazing valley views of Sopsokha village. Visitors all around the world travel to the monastery to get blessings.