Once I was hiking through the valley towards Chimi Lhakhang with Indian guests. They were quite alarmed upon discovering various images and wooden representations of phallus in the shops — as it goes against their cultural norms and is considered a taboo topic.
One of the guests turned to me and said in Hindi: “Tashi, kyon yahaan sab jagah penis hai?” (Why is there phallus everywhere?)
I just giggled and replied, “It's okay, sir — it's just normal here.”
Then I explained: the Divine Mad Man (Lama Drukpa Kinley) is said to have subdued a demoness with his thunderbolt of wisdom — and the phallus became a symbol of protection and blessing. You'll see it painted on homes, hanging in shops, carved into walls.
One of them looked at me wide-eyed: “He used his... to subdue a demon?? Hahahaha!”
Some people find it amusing and snap photos to share. Others are bewildered. But in Bhutan, it's simply part of the culture — a reminder that spirituality here doesn't always look the way outsiders expect it to.