Matho

Matho Gompa near Leh in Ladakh, the only representative of the Sakyapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism in Ladakh.

Matho Gonpa is a Tibetan Buddhist Gompa in Ladakh to the east of Leh, Jammu and Kashmir, on the banks of the Indus River. The better known Thiske Gompa lies just to the west and Hemis Gompa to the south east. Matho Gompa lies approximately 26 kilometres to the east of the Ladakhi capital Leh.

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. During this festival, the approximately 60 resident lamas elect two oracles, known as "Rongtsan", to serve a four year term. The purpose of these oracles is to attempt to predict the fortunes of the local village communities for the coming year.

Matho is also home to a collection of thangkas dating back to the 16th century.

References

• Buddhist Monasteries. Matho.