Bhutan Day 03

Durga Mandir :

The Durga Mandir in Thimphu, Bhutan, is a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Durga, built between 2012-2018 and is the first Hindu temple in the city. It is sometimes referred to as the Devi Panchayan Mandir or Kuenselphodrang Durga temple and is a gift from the King to the Hindu community. The temple is located near the Buddha Point and is a significant site for the Bhutanese Hindu community, particularly during festivals like Dashain.

Druk Wangyal Chortens:

The Druk Wangyal Chortens are a group of 108 memorial stupas located at the Dochula Pass in Bhutan, commissioned by the Queen Mother to honor Bhutanese soldiers who died in 2003. These striking red-banded chortens are arranged in concentric rows on a hillside, serving as a symbol of peace, harmony, and national pride while offering spectacular views of the Himalayas. They are a significant spiritual and cultural landmark on the road between Thimphu and Punakha.

Punakha Dzong :

Punakha Dzong was constructed in 1637–38 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is the second oldest and largest dzong in Bhutan. Initially serving as the government's administrative center and monastery, it has been the location for numerous royal events, including the coronation of the first king and the recent wedding of the fifth king in 2011. The dzong has also survived significant damage from fires and an earthquake, and the original 17th-century bridge was destroyed by a 1958 flood.

Chimi Lhakhang :

Chimi Lhakhang was built in 1499 by Ngawang Choegyel to honor his cousin, the revered saint Drukpa Kunley. Drukpa Kunley, known as the "Divine Madman," was famous for his unconventional teachings and for taming the demoness of Dochula, where he is believed to have buried her in the stupa on the hillock where the temple now stands. The temple is now widely known as Bhutan's fertility temple, as it is a sacred site where people seek blessings for children.

Fertility blessings:

The temple is famously associated with fertility, and Drukpa Kunley himself was known as the "Fertility Saint". People come to seek blessings for children, and the presiding lama uses a wooden phallus, believed to be an emblem of Drukpa Kunley, to tap the heads of those seeking a blessing.

Symbolism:

Drukpa Kunley is also known for advocating the use of phallus symbols on house walls to ward off evil and promote fertility. You can see this tradition continuing today in the village surrounding the temple.