Chimi Lhakhang: The Fertility Temple of Bhutan

Let’s know the interesting legends about the Chimi Lhakhang Monastery

Chimi Lhakhang owes much of its fame to the legendary figure associated with its founding: Drukpa Kunley, often referred to as the Divine Madman. 

Drukpa Kunley, a highly respected Buddhist master known for his unusual teachings and odd ways, was born in Tibet in the second half of the 15th century.

 His unconventional approaches, which frequently included comic and provocative actions, aimed to challenge social norms and educate the general public.

It’s widely believed that Drukpa Kunley defeated a demonic force that was scaring the people living in the Punakha Valley.

In commemoration of this event, Chimi Lhakhang was built on the spot where the demoness was believed to have been defeated. The temple, therefore, carries not only religious significance but also serves as a symbol of protection and triumph over evil.

Architecture and Surroundings of Chimi Lhakhang

The whitewashed walls, sloping roofs, and elaborate woodwork of Chimi Lhakhang’s architecture are typical of Bhutanese temples.

The temple has a serene, natural atmosphere, surrounded by terraced fields and a variety of flora.  In keeping with its reputation as a fertility temple, the Lhakhang also features phallic symbols throughout the interior decor.

The walls are covered in sculptures and paintings depicting phallic themes, and the temple’s monks even offer blessings to guests using a wooden phallus.

This special feature of Chimi Lhakhang symbolizes its link to fertility and is thought to shower blessings on child-seeking couples. 

The most striking feature of the Lhakhang is its beautiful golden roof, which gleams in the sunlight. Rows of prayer wheels line the exterior walls of the Lhakhang. Devotees spin these wheels as a way to accumulate merit and send out prayers.

The courtyard features a large Bodhi tree, which is believed to have been brought from Bodhgaya in India, the place where Buddha attained enlightenment.

The interior of the Lhakhang is a prayer hall that is richly decorated with religious objects and imagery.  This includes thangkas (painted religious scrolls), bells, drums, horns, and dorjis (ritual implements).

 A prominent feature of the prayer hall is a statue of Drukpa Kunley, the revered lama who is associated with the temple’s fertility blessings. The statue depicts Kunley in a reclining position surrounded by a ceramic statue of his dog Sachi.