Home > Travel > Cities of India > Matho
Matho
The gompa presiding in Matho is the lone representative of the Sakyapa sect in Ladakh.

Share this Article:

Matho, Leh, LadakhMatho, 27 km situated in the south of Leh. This valley runs into the heart of the Stok- Kangri massif. It is a pleasing place which is interesting and scenically situated although alike its neighbours. The Gompa built in Matho, the only representative in Ladakh of the Sakyapa sect which rose to power in the thirteenth century Tibet, sees comparatively few visitors, as it is relatively inaccessible from the main highway, buses are not that frequent. Despite its collection of 400-year-old Thangkas, the monastery is renowned for its oracle festival, Matho Nagran, held on the twenty-fifth and twenty-sixth day of the second Tibetan month around February/March. Two oracles, known as rongzan, are selected by people every three years from among the sixty or so resident lamas. During the days of the fest, when the crowd is fully engrossed in watching the fest, the local people perform all manner of terrifying stunts that include jumping blindfold around the gompa`s steep parapets, and slashing themselves with razor-sharp swords without drawing blood. The events are rounded off with colourful chaam dances in the monastery courtyard, and a question-and-answer session in which the rongzan, still under the influence of the deity, make predictions about the coming year. You can admire the costumes and masks worn by the monks during the festivals in Matho`s small museum. Men are also permitted to visit the eeie Gon-khang on the roof (strictly photography is not allowed), where the oracles` weapons and ritual garb is stored. The floor of the tiny temple lies under a deep layer of barley brought as harvest offerings by local villagers.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in Cities of India


Ancient North Indian Cities
Ancient North Indian Cities were developed in the early era that is from the time of Mahabharata, and after the decline of Hindu kings in Northern parts. Some have become desolated and some became the archaeological ruins.
Ancient South Indian Cities
Ancient South Indian Cities witness the rise and fall of many empires from the early era.
Ancient Cities of North West India
Ancient Cities of North West India show the Rajput culture from the early phase, but in medieval era it showed the prominence after having a good relation with Mughals.
Ancient West Indian Cities
Ancient West Indian Cities are now completely in ruins, because of the heavy earthquake in some of the regions.
Holy Cities of North West India
Holy Cities of North West India are grown up in the midst of dry and thorny desert lands with Rajputana art and architecture.
Holy Cities of North India
Holy Cities of North India are having the rich history of Hinduism and the entire civilization was grown up with the hands of beliefs, rituals and the evolution of religion.
Holy Cities of South India
Holy Cities of South India gives the detailed cultural formation of Dravidians from the early era, which later developed to the world by the Pallavas and the Cholas.
Holy Cities of Central India
Holy Cities of Central India have the excellence of art and architecture in temples in the early era.
Holy Cities of East India
Holy Cities of East India refer the places of religious importance. Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Buddhism are widely spread.
Holy Cities of West India
Holy Cities in West India were established by the rulers of Rajputs and the Satvahana Dynasty and the medieval rulers of Junagadh.
Cities of West Uttar Pradesh
Cities of West Uttar Pradesh include Meerut, Bulandshahr, Ghaziabad, Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Bijnor, Bareilly, Rampur, Agra, Aligarh, Mathura and many others. It comprises the western parts of Uttar Pradesh.
Architecture of Ladakh
Architecture of Ladakh is very typically Buddhist due to the strong influence of the religion here. The architecture is in keeping with the geography and climate of the region.
Architecture Of Madurai
Architecture of Madurai reflects the Hindu architectural pattern as is seen in the lakes, temples and palaces.
Port Cities of South India
Port Cities of South India are developed from the early phase of colonial era when the Portuguese and the French traders came to India
Vaishali Ancient City
Vaishali was an ancient prosperous metropolis, which was probably the first republic of the world.
Kudra City
Kudra, the city in Kaimaur District where agriculture is the prime occupation and in this city there is present Asia’s largest seed cold storage.
Thuraiyur in Tamilnadu
Thuraiyur is a municipality town where the inhabitants are mostly dependent on agriculture and handloom industries.
Dharapuram - Tiruppur
Dharapuram is a town located in Tiruppur district in Tamil Nadu. It is said that the Pandavas resided here in the town.
River Ghats in Haridwar
There are several river ghats in Haridwar, which are considered as popular spots among tourists.
Mataundh - Banda District
Mataundh is a prominent `panchayat town` situated in Banda district of Uttar Pradesh.