A different kind of blessing

As I said, the favorite saint here is the Divine Madman, also known as the "fertility saint". Women from all around the world visit his monastery to seek his blessing.

Walking to the monastery you will, what else then thousand of painted or carved phallus. Everything is about it here.

The monk on call blesses you by touching you with a phallus. I was not particularly excited about getting hit in the head with a wooden penis, but when in Rome do what the Romans do, right? Plus you do not want to make the Mad monk even madder, right?

Is that a ...?

You’ll find them all around in Bhutan. Dotted all around the country all in an erect glorious manner. They are made from wood, clay or metal and are placed over doorways or painted on the buildings maybe a meter or more in length, some spurting others not. Our driver has a carved wooden one hanging from the mirror. Locals do not seems to acknowledge them, but they get attention from the tourists taking pictures.


The story goes back to 600 years ago, to the favorite Bhutan saint, Drupka Kingley, aka “The Divine Madman”. With a reputation for unrestrained sexual practices and rebellious nature against an entrenched Buddhist hierarchy, Lam Drukpa Kinley used his wild ways not just to shock the leaders of their faith but to satisfy his sexual needs. Apparently he managed to convince everybody that their wives were possessed by demons and he would be the only one able to exorcise the bad spirits. 

The monastery of Chimmi Lhakhang is dedicated to this Saint. Many couples wishing to start a family can seek a blessing from a Lama who taps the pair with a phallus to the crown of the head.

The Divine Madman aside, the phallus is believed to ward off evil spirits and protect. When blessing a newly built house the phallus plays a leading role.

One think I know for sure, I will not drink from this fountain!