A
monastery of the Saskya Order, Ladakh Matho Gompa is situated at a
distance of approximately 26 km to the southeast of Leh. It is located
on the opposite bank of the River Indus and was founded in the 16th
century by Lama Dugpa Dorje. The monastery houses a rich collection of
four hundred years old Thangkas. One of the main attractions of Matho
Gompa of Leh Ladakh is Matho Nagrang Festival. This festival is
organized every year on the 14th and 15th day of the first Tibetan
month. On this day, all the monks take part in the sacred dances.It is also said that during Matho Nagrang Festival, two gods, known as the Rongtsan, make their appearance. Another major attraction of the Matho Gompa, especially for the Ladakh people, is its oracle. Known as the "Lhaba" of Matho, the oracle is a priest and lives inside the monastery. Located near the Matho Monastery of Ladakh are a number of shrines. Also amongst these shrines is a sacred temple dedicated to the guardian deities.
