Chimi Lhakhang

The Chimi Lhakhang (monastery) is located on the hillock below the Metshina–Punakha road and the visitors can clearly see its yellow-roof from the road. It was built in 1499 by the cousin of Lama Drukpa Kunley (Tibetan master) who was popularly known as the ‘Divine Madman’. Mostly the infertile parent visit the temple to receive a wang (blessing) from the saint as it is believed to be an extra ordinary temple for gaining fertility.

The monastery is surrounded by a row of prayer wheels and some beautiful slate carvings with few number of monks dwelling there. You’ll also find a Bodhi tree believed to be brought from Bodhgaya and central statue of the lama with his dog Sachi as well as statues of Zhabdrung, Buddha Sakyamuni and Chenresig (god of compassion) with 1001 arms. There is a statue of Lama Drukpa Kunley’s cousin (the founder of the temple) on the right of the temple. It is believed that a small offering to the lama can give you a lifelong blessing from the lama’s wooden and bone phalluses and the iron archery set. Even the new born baby’s parent visit the place to select future names of their baby from a group of bamboo slips.

Visitors takes mostly around 20-minutes to reach the road at Sopsokha to the temple. For safety you may carry a hat to prevent yourself from wind and dusts.