Matho Gompa

2467 Reviews

Star Travel Rating

5/5

Review type

Things to do

Location

Date of travel

2011

Product name

Product country

Product city

Travelled with

Husband

Reasons for trip

This is on the opposite bank of the Indus to Thicksey and Shey. It is in a side valley and hidden from view.It receives few visitors.

It is a nice drive across the flat desert with views to the snow capped mountains. The Gompa sits on top of a crag with the village and monks’ school below.

There are excellent views from the Gompa. Matho Gompa is the only Gompa belonging to the Saskyapa sect, founded about 1000 years ago and  the dominant religious faction in Tibet during the 13thC. The first buildings were 15thC but were destroyed by Muslim incursions in the 16thC.

There is a large courtyard with temple buildings on one side and a library. Workmen were busy chipping plaster off the wall of the covered walkway.

The new Lakhang has a big statue of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattvainside. This was begun in 2004 and finished in 2010. The centre is made from cement which is carved into shape, plastered and then painted.  The cement base is covered with wood from Kashmir which is carved and then painted. The statue is surrounded by manifestations of the 21 Taras carved from wood and seated on lotus flowers.  On the left is a statue of Green Tara, who was born from the tears of Avalokiteshvara. On either side are statues of the Kings of Naga with snakes surrounding their heads. In Buddhism, the Naga symbolises hatred and statues are in a position of respect to take away hatred.  There are fierce mythical beasts under the statue holding up the gods. It is a beautiful building.

The adjacent Lhakhang was being restored and repainted. The central pillars were made from carved concrete and support a cement bar with wood above. Four painters on very rudimentary scaffolding were painting the roof beams. They had been working for four months and it would take another 4-5 months to finish. Then they would begin on the wall paintings. There was a partly completed statue of the present Buddha with his two  disciples. Sheripu on the left and Mongaliyana on the right. The Buddha had been covered with gold paint but was awaiting other painters to come and finish the painting.

The old Dukhang has paintings of the four cardinal kings on either side of doorway. Inside the walls were covered with paintings 200-300 years old which included pictures of the old protector gods complete with skull necklaces and two skeletons dancing (Chitapati).

Our pictures of Matho are here

Silver Travel Advisor

Join the club

Become a member to receive exclusive benefits

Our community is the heart of Silver Travel Advisor, we love nothing more than sharing ideas, inspiration, hints and tips between us.

Come feel the love on a Princess cruise. You’ll enjoy the MedallionClass experience others simply can’t, and it’s exclusively for everyone. Visit incredible destinations and be involved in the best experiences around each one of them.

Experience more with Princess and connect effortlessly with the world around you, spend time away with loved ones, take a moment for yourself, and fall in love with your holiday of a lifetime, every time.

With over 20 years of experience, Wendy Wu Tours has mastered the art of creating exceptional, fully inclusive tours which showcase the very best of each destination.

Each tour is led by a world-class guide, who will highlight the very best of their homeland, and includes authentic cultural experiences so you are not just seeing the sights, but truly immersing yourself in local life.

Say hello to ease at sea. Ambassador’s purpose is simple: they want to inspire every guest to experience authentic cruising, effortlessly and sustainably. Passionate about protecting our oceans and destinations, their ships comply with the highest industry emission standards and there is no single-use plastic on board.

On your voyage, you will receive the warmest of welcomes from the Ambassador community as you sail upon the friendliest ships afloat.

This is a global co-operative co-owned by local partners using real local experts and guides, which supports local communities, environments and wildlife. It offers travellers quirky places to stay, activity holidays and learning experiences. Not In The Guidebooks gets travellers off the beaten track into local culture with day experiences and longer, immersive adventures.

From wild wellness breaks in Wales to painting in Portugal, sustainable adventures in Mauritius to food safaris in Brazil, this is immersive, exciting travel.

Seabourn’s five intimate ships carry guests to the heart of great cities, exclusive yacht harbours and secluded coves around the world, while two new purpose-built expedition ships will combine exhilarating adventures in remote destinations with the sophisticated amenities of the world’s finest resorts at sea.

From the luxury of all suite accommodations to complimentary fine wines and spirits, and a no tipping policy, Seabourn exemplifies the definition of travelling well.