Matho Monastery

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Sight Address : Matho Monastery is 26 kms away from the Leh city near the Indus River bank. Edit

Detail InformationEdit

Situated right across Thiksey Matho Monastery on the bank of Indus river, the 16th century Matho Monastery is about 20 km south of Leh in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. Founded by Lama Dugpa Dorje, Matho is the only monastery which follows Sakya order of Tibetan Buddhism. Matho monastery is modeled on the Saskya monastery in Tibet. The monastery houses about 60 lamas and 30 novitiates. Matho Monastery is popular for the celebration of festival called Matho Nagrang. It is also famous for its oracles. During festivals, the Cham dance and the act of oracles are breathtaking. The acts of oracles under the influence of supernatural powers, leaves everyone in awe and fear as the oracles often run barefoot on the parapets of the monastery roof. The festival of the oracles is held during the Buddhist New Year, which falls usually in the first half of March. The lamas, chosen as oracles every three year, have to undergo months of fasting and meditation to purify themselves. While in trance, the oracles answer questions about the future of Matho and Ladakh as well as personal questions The monastery comprises Dukhang, temples and chapels. Dukhang, the assembly hall of the monastery, are full of wall paintings. Besides the paintings of Buddha and other deities, the monastery also has statues of Maitreya, Sakyamuni, the blessing Buddha and a thousand-armed statue of Avalokitesvara.

Matho Monastery, Leh, India

HistoryEdit

Founded in 1410 century by Lama Dugpa Dorje, it belongs to the Sakya Order. It is noted for its six hundred year old thangkas and its Matho Nagrang Festival.The gompa is the only one in Ladakh belonging to the Sakyapa and is said to be one of the few which is seeing an increase of monks in recent years.Matho is the only example in Ladakh of the Sakyapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Because it does not lay on the main highway from Leh, it sees fewer visitors than Hemis, Thiske or Shey. However, it is known to outsiders for its annual Oracle Matho Nagrang Festival, held on the 14th and 15th days of the first month of the Tibetan calendar.

Must SeeEdit

Popular

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Best Season to VisitEdit

June to October

Best Time To VisitEdit

Morning , Afternoon, Evening.

Time Required for SightseeingEdit

3-4 hours.

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How to ReachEdit

Taxi : This monastery is 26 kms away from the Leh city and easily accessible by taxi.

BUS : There are regular bus and taxi services to Leh. . Although, the roads to Leh are well maintained, it is a long and tiring journey of two days. JKSRTC provide service from Srinagar to Leh (700 km) which takes two days and HRTC provide service from Manali to Leh (474 km), which takes about 20 hours or two days if you halt in between. Buses will charge you anywhere between Rs 1,500 to 2,000 per person for a one way trip.Leh Bus Stand is barely a kilometer from the city. from bus stand taxi is available to reach these site.

Train : The nearest railway station to Leh is in Kalka from where you can take a bus or taxi to Manali via Shimla. There are regular taxis and bus services in Manali to and from Leh.
From New Delhi:Chandigarh Mumbai Bandra Terminus SF Express Kalka- New Delhi Shatabdi Kalka Delhi Passenger
From Mumbai: Paschim Express Slip
From Kolkata: Kalka Mail

Air : Leh is directly connected to Delhi through regular flights and it takes about 65 minutes to reach Leh from Delhi through flight. Direct flights also operate once a week from Leh to Srinagar and twice a week to Jammu and Kashmir. However, as the weather is unpredictable, a 2 to 3 hours hold-up is normal, especially on the early morning departures.
From New Delhi:Fly Smart, Jet Lite,Jet Airways Konnect.
From Mumbai:Fly Smart,Jet Airways Konnect, Air India.
From Kolkata:Jet Lite, Air India. Delhi-Leh ﬂ ights rarely cost under Rs.11,500 in
summer but in winter Rs.4000 is possible. Unusually, Leh’s airline oﬃ ces sometimes undercut
online prices.
Air India (Map p 246 ; %252076; Fort Rd;
10am-1pm & 2-4.30pm) Leh–Delhi (Rs.11,661),
via Srinagar (Rs.7354, Wednesday) or via Jammu
(Rs.8053, Monday and Friday). Fly to Jammu for
Dharamsala.
Jet Airways (Map p 249 ;%250999; Main
Bazaar; h10am-1pm & 2-5pm) Leh–Delhi daily
in August. Frequency drops gradually to twice
weekly in February.
Kingfisher (www.flykingfisher.com) Leh–Delhi
daily in summer.
Bus & Shared Jeep
KARGIL Bus (Rs.300, 10 hours) departs 4.30am

Others : Jeep services are also available here. 4wd jeeps are quicker, a little more expensive and reach more locations. Private hire jeeps are also available.

Things to CarryEdit

Carry your own food, drinking water,woolen cloths and a camera along to capture the amazing sights.

Safety / WarningEdit

1. Alcohol and tobacco should be completely avoided, as the low level of oxygen makes it very difficult to come out of a hangover and you don’t want to lose the sightseeing time, sitting in a hotel. Alcohol and coffee should also be avoided if you are in Leh on a trekking expedition. Tea, which is available in plenty, can be consumed.
2.Plastic is banned in Leh and Ladakh, so instead use biodegradable bags.