Chimmi Lhakhang
Chimi Lhakhang is dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kunley (also known as the Divine Madman) and is popular among childless Bhutanese couples as a temple to seek blessings for fertility. The hike up to the temple is around 20 to 30 minutes as the trail cuts through a flat paddy field and gentle slope.
Thousands of people visit Chimi Lhakhang either to pray for a child who are childless or to seek protection for children that they already have.There are also anecdotes of tourists from the US and Europe who made the pilgrimage to Chimi Lhakhang and promptly got pregnant within a year after the visit.
The lhakhang has in it’s display a 10-inch ivory, wood and bone phallus as well as the bow and arrow supposedly used by the Divine Madman – Drukpa Kuenley himself hundreds of years ago.
While Chimi Lhakhang is renowned for its fertility blessings, locals come to the lhakhang to get a name for their child by picking up random bamboo slips placed in the altar inscribed with names of boys and girls.
Traditional Games
Khuru is a Traditional Dart Game commonly enjoyed by many in Bhutan. The distance between the targets is about 30 meters and the target is almost 11 by 5 inches.
More than just the game is the spirit of the game which makes it lively. Teams sing and dance on each strike making the game even more interesting. Cheering and jeering is a part of the game. There is no age limit or retirement age for any players. As long as one can throw it straight and at the target one can qualify as a player.
River Rafting
The Pho Chhu river and Mo Chhu river (Male and Female Rivers) of Punakha that originates from the Northern Himalayan Mountains offer great rafting or experience. The Pho Chhu river or the male river that runs down from left of Punakha Dzong originates from the glacier lakes in the Northern Mountains. It offers approximately a 16 km course with about 15 rapids. The Mo Chhu river or the female river runs down from the right side of Punakha Dzong and has a 10 km course with 10 rapids.
After the convergence of these two rivers near Punakha Dzong, the main river is known as Puna Tsang chu which offers even more exciting experience acknowledged mostly for its culturally stimulating and exciting rapids.
Throughout this river rafting you will glide back in time as you journey through the most scenic and natural course with incredible view of alpine scenery, beautiful rice terrace, rich bird life and experience exciting rapids on the backdrop of a 17th century spectacle, the Punakha Dzong.
Duration : 2 hours.
Biking
Located in idyllic countryside of Punakha about 7 KM from Khuru town, the place is well known for the birding and biking. One can enjoy the magnificent view of the Khamsum Yulley Namgyel chorten which is built by the queen mother and is dedicated to the king and well-being of all Bhutanese.
Punakha Dzong
The Punakha Dzong, often referred to as the ‘Palace of Happiness’, is the second oldest and second largest dzong in Bhutan. This spectacular emblem of Bhutanese religious architecture sits right at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu rivers and is perhaps the obvious key to unlocking Punakha’s secrets. PUNAKHA DOMCHOE is an annual festival held at the Dzong, which is largely attended by people from all villages and far places of the district.
The Theranghung “self-created” image of Avalokitesvara enshrined in the utse of the dzong (brought by the Zhabdrung from Tibet) is displayed during the festival.
Distance – 2km from Khuruthang
Opening Time – 6am
Closing time -5pm
