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.
It is also customary for babies who were born as a result of having
received blessings from Chimi Lhakhang to be brought for blessings in
the first six years. These babies are often called ‘Chimi Lhakhang
babies’ and are sometimes named ‘Kinley’ (kind-hearted) or ‘Chime’ (no
dog). Besides praying to have a child, Bhutanese sometimes also make a
pilgrimage to Chimi Lhakhang to get the name of their child by picking
bamboo slips placed on the altar.
There have also been many success stories being featured from places as far as Japan, Europe and the United States.
Visitors who have successfully conceived after visiting Chimi
Lhakhang often send in photos of their newborn infants with notes
expressing their gratitude. The stories and photos are collated into a
picture book inside the temple.
