Chimi Lhakhang (also known as Chime Lhakhang or The Fertility Temple) is a sacred Buddhist temple idyllically nestled atop a rotund hill in Punakha district. Today, many newly married and childless couples from all over the world visit Chimi Lhakhang to receive fertility blessings.
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The phallus symbol can be seen flanking doorways, hanging off rooftops or painted on the corners of homes in all sizes and colours. Traditionally, Bhutanese believe that these phallic symbols help to ward off evil spirits.
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The Tibetan lama Drukpa Kuenley (1455 - 1529) is without doubt the most popular Buddhist yogi in Bhutanese history. Drukpa Kunley was born into the noble clan of Ralung Monastery in western Tibet. He is commonly seen to be roaming around carrying his bow and arrows.
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Chimi Lhakhang is located in Lobesa, a settlement under Barp Gewog in Punakha district. It is located at the junction where the highway from Thimphu branches to Punakha and Wangdue Phodrang. It is about 11km from Punakha, 12km from Wangdue Phodrang and 60km from Thimphu. The settlement is formed near the bank of Punatsangchu, at an altitude of 1300m. Chimi Lhakhang and the surrounding settlements are connected by a stretch of 1.5km farm road from Thimphu - Punakha highway.
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Chimi Lhakhang was built in 1499 by Ngawang Choegyel, the 14th Drukpa hierarch. However, it was Drukpa Kunley (1455–1529), the maverick saint (also known as the ‘Divine Madman’) who first built a chorten at the site.
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Chimi Lhakhang is of modest size, square in shape and elegantly designed with golden roof. It is surrounded by a row of prayer wheels and its exterior walls are embedded with beautiful slate carvings of saints' images.
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People from different parts of the world who longed to have children often visit Chimi Lhakhang to seek fertility blessings. The blessing process involves visitors getting hit on the head by the presiding Lama with the 10-inches ivory and wooden phallus followed by the bow and arrow used by Drukpa Kunley.
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Humour, happiness and harmony lie at the heart of this Himalayan kingdom, writes Sarah Marshall.
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The Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan is a place where Buddhist traditions mix with modernity, and reverence is shown to tigers and the flaming thunderbolt of wisdom.
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Rejuvenate mind, body and spirit in the Land of the Thunder Dragon
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