Immerse yourself in the magical charm of Matho Monastery, nestled in the majestic Himalayas. It was built by Lama Tugpa Dorjay in the 1600s and is 26 km southeast of Leh. Since it is the only temple of the Sakyapa sect in Ladakh, it is a peaceful place to get away from the busy roads.
With thangkas that are over 600 years old, it's a treasure trove of Tibetan Buddhist history. Its main attraction is the colourful Matho Nagrang festival, which honours the visit of two Gods (Rongtsan). It is held on the 14th and 15th day of the first month of the Tibetan calendar and treats you to captivating ritual dances. During the Matho Rang Nag Festival, you also get to enjoy the captivating Chaam (Mask Dance) within the assembly hall.
The monastery comes alive in the first part of March every year during the Buddhist New Year with the annual festival of oracles. Thus, you can witness the growing number of resident monks within their meeting hall ornamented with paintings of the Lords of Quarters. Here, you can view the museum with 16th-century Tibetan-imported Thangka paintings. Moreover, you can also see the tiny chapel on top of the structure that holds a picture of Sakya Pandit and other holy lamas.
