The Divine Madman is of great importance to the Bhutanese. On almost every house you will find his imprint – a phallus symbol – painted on the wall or hanging from the roof as a wooden giant. The phallus symbol is important to ward off evil and to bring luck.
Chimi Lhakang is situated on a hill in this beautiful rural area – the small white building to the left close to the mountain.
This day, we had some slow raindrops contributing to the green fields.
Clouds hanging low, but not a wind.
Blessings are important – even to the fields that should feed the people.
On our way up to Lobesa and the Lhakang, we had lunch and stopped by several shops selling masks and phalluses. The red mask is worn at the dances and the phallus on top is to swing out and bless people in the audience.
On reaching the temple, the rain had stopped, and young men and women were spinning the prayer wheels while circumambulating. Both men and women come to Chimi Lhakhang, and not only for fertility wishes. Often, when their child is born, they come back here to give him or her a name. Inside the temple there are bamboo sticks with names on them, if you prefer to let chance decide.
Equality is essential in Bhutan, and often it is the woman who inherits her parents. Marriage is no longer a business matter – people marry out of love. It is also no big deal with a divorce – should the couple not be happy in their marriage. And, I think I said it before – I have never seen so many men taking good care of and playing openly with their children.
Leya 
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Another wonderful post about Bhutan, Ann-Christine. I am enjoying them very much. I know so little about their culture and I appreciate your insights! Lovely photos too. Enjoy your day. 🙂
Thank you – glad you are enjoying them! Wishing you a great week.
Lovely images. I fear that I’m immature enough to giggle at the displays. I was giggling right now, loud too. 😀 Possibly if you’re there it’s a different feeling than simply encountering phalluses on a Leya’s post. 😀 😀
Haha – well, I laughed when looking at my photos (inwardly when taking them…), but the Bhutanese are serious about this. No giggling.
Beautiful scenic photos it all looks so tranquil
It is
Like Tina said, this seems such a peaceful and special place. It might not be the most developed but it is a place of heart and soul. Great captures 😊
Thank you, Mabel. A place of heart and soul – yes. That is why I Love it. Being developed is not what I am looking for. Being genuine is.
Being genuine. A wise nugget of thought from you, Leya. Again something from you I will keep in mind. One can never be too genuine and just themselves.
I loved your article Leya……please check out my blog as i take you on a very spectacular tour around one of the most historic city in Kenya
I popped over to you!
How very special—seems such a peaceful place. Enjoyed the tour Leya!
I am glad you enjoyed it, Tina. Bhutan emanates peace and happiness. Lovely people. I wish the world could always be like that.
I’m enjoying the trip, too. I like that so many men are involved with their children. That’s good for everyone.
janet
It is. Good for everyone.
The world could certainly do with some of Lam Drukpa Keunely’s enlightenment at the moment.
♥
I’m enjoying you travel reports and photographs.
I am glad you do, Sherry – thank you!
Love that happy smiling phallus at fertility handicrafts!!
Haha – yes! They have such a good sense of humor as well! Besides being lovely, well educated and good at English.
Good at English, eh?
Very. Only the oldest farmers could not speak it. Everywhere in the cities children and young people were very knowledgeable. One of the Swedish women on our tour said her son was not as good at English as the Bhutanese. They start English in their first years at school, and it is not unusual that they continue their studies in India, Australia or England. School is free too…and so is health care.
Oh, interesting!
It really does seem to be a wonderful place and fascinating culture from where we could learn lots.
They still have the chance to stay whole and sane – I would say most of the outer world has already lost it.