Matho Gompa

Location: Approximately 26 km to the southeast of Leh Belongs To: Saskya Order Founded By: Lama Dugpa Dorje Founded In: 16th Century Highlights: Four hundred years old Thankas Festivals: Matho Nagrang Festival

Matho Gompa is situated at a distance of approximately 26 km to the southeast of Leh.  Lama Dugpa Dorje founded the Matho Gompa of Ladakh in the 16th century.  It is located on the opposite bank of the River Indus. This gompa holds an annual Matho Nagrang oracle festival in which monks go into trances and inflict wounds on themselves which appear to leave no marks. Only men are allowed to visit the dark and mysterious rooms in which they prepare with two months of meditation. 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.

Matho Nagran Oracle Festival

Despite its collection of four hundred year old Thangkas, the monastery is best known for its Oracle Festival Matho Nagran, held on the 14th  and 15th day of the second Tibetan month.

During this festival, Two oracles, known as "Rongzam", are elected by lot every three years from among the sixty or so resident lamas. The purpose of these oracles is to attempt to predict the fortunes of the local village communities for the coming year. During the run up to the big days, the pair fast and meditate in readliness for the moment when they are possessed by the spirit of the deity.