Summary
Buddhism continues to play a very important role in Bhutanese society. From the day one is born till his/her last breath, people follow the dictum of religion, which is either masked or openly depicted in Bhutan’s rich cultural heritages. Prayer flags, stupas and monasteries that dot the Himalayan Kingdom, speak of the immense role religion plays.
Bhutanese history speaks of several Buddhist Masters and Saints, who arrived in the country, blessing the land and leaving behind their legacies. The most revered is Guru Padma Sambhava, the Great Indian Tantric Saint and Buddhist Master who arrived in Bhutan in the 7th century. Others are Tertons (Treasure Discoverers) such as Terton Pema Lingpa. From all these masters stand Lam Drukpa Kuenley, known as the “Divine Madmonk” whose esoteric way of teaching and spreading Buddhism has become a literature in itself.
Amongst others, Lam Drukpa Kuenley is associated with the worship of the Phallus, which is practiced even today. Apart from his teachings, his greatest legacy stands in the form of a Lhakhang (monastery) called Chhimi Lhakhang “Temple of Fertility”, built to honour Lam Drukpa Kunley (1455-1529) where worship of the phallus continues. It is believed that barren couples conceive after a visit to the monastery, due to which hundreds of barren couples visit the monastery.
The Fertility tour will take you to the bastion of the Divine Madman, which was built in the 15th century.
Apart from this, Bhutanese also believe that blessings from great Lamas (Buddhist masters) can also make a barren couple conceive. During this trip, you will also be meeting people who will explain why and how this happens.
Complete Itinerary
Duration – Seven days
Entry and Exit –Paro International Airport
Highlights-Culture, Flora and Fauna, People, Fertility dialogues and others.
Places of visit- Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Wangduephodrang.
Day 1: Arrive at Paro International Airport
After an exhilarating flight, described by many as one of the most enchanting, offering you glimpses of the Himalayan Peaks, including Mt Everest, Jomolhari (Mountain Goddess) and others you will land at Paro. The landing is also a thrilling experience, sure to give you an adrenaline rush.
Our representative will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel.
After checking in and a brief stopover, including lunch, we will begin exploring Paro Valley, once the rice bowl of the country and today one of the most developed districts.
We will visit Kyichu Lhakhang, built in 659 AD by the Tibetan Buddhist King Songsten Goempo. It is said that Kyichu has been built on a site that resembled the left knee of a giant ogress. It is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan and blessed by several Buddhist Masters, including Guru Padma Sambhava.
Our next destinations will be Paro Rimpong Dzong (Fortress on a Heap of Jewels) and the National Museum, which was formerly a Watch Tower (Ta Dzong).
After a stroll of the town, we will rest for the night.
Halt at hotel.
Day 2: Taktshang Visit
A visit to Bhutan without seeing Taktshang Monastery (The Tiger’s Lair) is incomplete. One of Bhutan’s most revered religious sites and a pilgrim’s dream, Taktshang embodies the religious and architectural wonder of Bhutan.
We begin the trek to the monastery along an old trail, with prayer wheels driven by water and flags adorning the route. It will take us about 5 hours to go up and return.
The moment you see Taktshang, you will be shell shocked, for the monastery stands perched on a cliff about 3000 meters from the ground, overlooking the valley. How the spectacular monastery could be built is a myth.
Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava came riding in a wrathful form, on a tigress to subdue evil forces that were obstructing the spread of Buddhism. Meditating in a rock temple nearby, he achieved his objective. Later, several Buddhist Masters, including the Guru’s consort, Yeshi Tshogay meditated at the site.
Lunch will be served on our way back.
En-route to the hotel, we will visit the ruins of Drugyal Dzong (Fortress of the Victorious Drukpa), which was built to commemorate the victory of Bhutanese forces over the invading Tibetans.
During dinner at the hotel, we will arrange for experts on Buddhism and Fertility to speak with you.
Day 3: Paro – Thimphu
After an early breakfast, we will begin our drive to Thimphu. En-route, we will visit Pangpa Ugyen Guru Temple which contains some of the country’s most sacred treasures in the form of phalluses. The two storied temple was founded by Terton (Treasure Discoverer) Sherab Mebar in the 14th century. You will be told the significance of the different forms of phalluses by the caretaker of the temple.
As we continue the journey to Thimphu, we will be following the Pa and Thimphu Chhus (rivers). It is a memorable drive.
Upon arrival at Thimphu, we will check into our hotel, have lunch and then visit Changangkha Temple, Takin (Bhutan’s national animal) Zoo and move to Sangaygang, which offers a beautiful view of Thimphu. We will also visit the National Handicrafts Emporium, the Local Handmade Paper factory anf finally Trashichhodzong, Bhutan’s centre of governance, which houses the King’s Throne Room, Office and is also the summer residence of the Chief Abbot (Je Khenpo) and the central monk body. The Dzong (Fortress) also houses some ministries.
Together with dinner you will be entertained by Bhutanese music and dance, including religious dances signifying the phallus.
Halt at hotel.
Day 4: Thimphu – Chimi Lhakhang
After breakfast, we will visit other historic places of Bhutan. We will begin with Gongzok Choten, the Memorial Choten built for Bhutan’s Third King, Jigmi Dorji Wangchuck, fondly known as the Father of Modern Bhutan. We will then move to Kuenselphodrang, where construction of the largest statue of the future Buddha is underway.
We then move to Punakha. After 45 minutes, we will reach Dochula (Pass) at 3000 meters, which offers one the first glimpse of the snow-capped eastern Himalayan Mountains ranging from 6000 to 7000 meters. Dochula is a flora and fauna haunt. Its beauty is magnified by the 108 stupas build around a mound and the Druk Wangyel Temple, built for Bhutan’s Fourth King, Jigmi Singye Wangchuck.
From then, the route traverses through changing landscapes as we near the valleys of Punakha and WangduePhodrang. We near “The Fertility Temple” and walk for a few minutes to the temple, Chimmi Lhakhang.
We will be camping near the 15th century temple and see how people receive blessings from the Phallus, praying for children. We will see the shrine dedicated to Drupka Kinley, with several wooden penises used to bless people who visit the monastery on pilgrimage seeking blessings to bear a child or for welfare of their children.
In the evening, the caretaker will tell us the complete story of Chhimi Lhakhang and how it has become the “Temple of Fertility.”
Halt at camp.
Day 5: Chhimi Lhakhang – Wangduephoidrang – Punakha.
Today we will visit ruins of Wangduephodrang Dzong, which was built in 1638 but ravaged by a tragic fire in 2012.
We will then move to Punakha, formerly Bhutan’s capital. Punakha Dzong (Fortress) is one of the most significant dzongs in the country. Looking like a giant ship on a mass of still water, the 1637 structure is also an architectural wonder, built at the confluence of two rivers, the Pho (male) and Mo (female) chhus (rivers).
We will visit the Fortress after checking into our hotel and lunch. The Dzong contains some of the most sacred religious relics of the country.
After visiting the Dzong, we will drive for a short while to Khamsumyulley Chorten. In the evening, we will take a short stroll of Punakha town.
Halt at hotel.
Day 6: Punakha – Thimphu
We begin our journey back to the capital. Lunch will be hosted at Dochula. You can spend some time enjoying the scenic beauty that Dochula offers.
After arrival at Thimphu, we check into the hotel. You can stroll around Thimphu town before dinner.
Halt at hotel
Day 7: Thimphu – Paro Airport
Our representative will escort you all the way to Paro airport for your journey out of Bhutan.