Chimi Lhakhang, famously known as “The Fertility Temple,” is a unique and widely revered Buddhist monastery located on a round hillock near Lobesa, in the Punakha Valley. It was built in 1499 by the 14th Drukpa hierarch, Ngawang Choegyel, following the blessing of the site by the eccentric and beloved saint Drukpa Kunley, also known as the “Divine Madman” (1455–1529). This temple is dedicated to Drukpa Kunley, who is known for his unconventional teachings and use of humor and shocking behavior, including a “flaming thunderbolt of wisdom” (a euphemism for the phallus), to enlighten beings.

The temple is a pilgrimage site for couples wishing to conceive children, who come here to receive blessings from the lama with a wooden phallus and bow and arrow. The phallic symbol is also commonly painted on the walls of houses in the surrounding villages, believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck. The gentle walk through picturesque rice fields to reach the temple adds to its charming and mystical appeal, offering a blend of spiritual significance and fascinating cultural insight.