Chhimi Lhakhang is located on a hilltop and founded by Lama Drukpa Kuenley-the Divine Madman. It is 25mins walk across the field from the road at Sopsokha.
Lama Drukpa kuenley subdued the demoness of the Dochula with his “Magic Thunderbolt of wisdom”. A wooden effigy of the lama’s thunderbolt is preserved in the temple, and the childless women can go to the temple to receive a wang (blessings) from the saint. This temple is also know as temple of fertility. There is a statue of lama and his dog, as well as that of the Lama Zhabdrung, Sakyamuni, Chenrezig and lama’s brother Ngwang Chogyal, who actually built this temple in the year 1456.
Chhimi Lhakhang is one of the best and popular tourist spots in Punakha and Wangdue region. Many Bhutanese couple also visit this temple for the blessings of child. And there are many stories of such prayers are being answered.
Drukpa Kuenley was also the sait who advocated the use of phallus symbols as paintings on the walls and as flying wooden phallus on the house tops at four corners of the eves. This phalluses are used to drive away the evil spirits, eyes and malicious gossip. You will see a lot on the wall paintings as you walk through the Bhutanese houses.
