Overview

In a heavenly place 20km south east of the Indus river from Leh, it is situated with the panoramic beauty and the appeal of Tibetan Buddhism. The word ‘Mang’ means ‘many’ and ‘tro’ signifies ‘happiness’, is a conventional Tibetan Buddhist monastery attached with a small chapel and dukhang (Assembly hall). Lama Dugpa Dorje founded the Matho Gonpa of Ladakh in the 16th century. Matho is the only Gonpa of Ladakh that belongs to the Saskya order of Tibetan Buddhism. The oracle of the monastery is a priest, who resides in the monastery itself. Also situated near the monastery are a number of sacred shrines, of which one is dedicated to the guardian deities.

Architecture

Having been attached with the tradition of the Ladakh region, its architectural beauty embraces with a courtyard, a small chapel and a Dukhang. The paintings of the Guardians of the Four Directions adorn the verandah of the Dukhang. Inside are two rows of seats for the lamas, along with a throne seat that is reserved for the Rimpoche, the head lama of Matho. There are four statues behind the throne are the thousand-armed Avalokitesvara, Maitreya, Sakyamuni and Buddha in blessing mudra (hand gesture). The entrance walls display Mahakala, the fiercest Buddhist guardian with other protecting deities.

FESTIVAL

This monastery also organizes the Matho Nagrang Festival, on an annual basis. The festival takes place on the 14th and 15th day of the first month of the Tibetan calendar. All the monks participate in the sacred dances and perform during annual festival. It is believed that during the Matho Nagrang Festival, two worldly gods, known as the Rong and Tsan, descend to the monastery. Matho Monastery also boasts of housing an amazingly rich collection of four hundred years old Thangkas.

How To Reach

View on map

By Road

Matho Village is situated around 26 kms from Leh. One has to first reach the village by a cab or bike and then trek up the hill to reach the monastery.

By Train

Ladakh does not have a railway station of its own. The nearest major railway station is Jammu Tawi Railway Station, which is well-connected to several Indian cities.

By Air

The nearest airport is the Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL), also known as Leh Airport. This airport is well-connected to major Indian cities.