Jammu & Kashmir Matho Monastery
The Indus River flows in its area and is near Thikse Monastery wherein the most important festival happens to be Narang Festival. Many tourists visit this place to witness various cultural programs as also to watch the gaiety with which the festivals are celebrated.
Founded by
Saskya monastic Establishment in Leh and this monastery is believed to be established by Lama Dugpa Dorje, a famous Lama in Buddhist Monarchy,
Description
Hemis has more visitors than Matho since it happens to be the only is the only specimen of the Tibetan Sakyapa sect more so the proximity to the highway is another reason for its not being so popular. The most famous annual Matho Narang festival is noteworthy celebrated in the first month of Tibetan calendar.  This festival is believed to be famous for it is believed to bring in for few hours, the body of two monks and predicts the fortune of the forthcoming periods. The selection process of these monks involves – selection of monks for 4 years, their meditation for 9 months in the first year, and meditate for 3 months during subsequent three years, before the festival begins, selection takes place every two years and lasts for 4 years. More so, the selection is done through a lottery system through the monks opting for such selection process in the festival through representation in writing on a piece of paper.
Thangkas relate to 14th Century and Matho is said to be their collection.Â
More Description
Gompa is one which belongs to Sakyapa which is responsible for monks’ increase in these days. It is note worthy that a new hall of assembly adorns the place, with colorful paintings and was constructed in 2005; also the Sakyamuni Buddha is the important statue here. SakyaPandita and lamas photos also adorn.  March is the month during which Rongtsan ceremony of predictions come up and selection of Lamas is a special process through lottery once in 2 years, for a period of 4 years. Festivals marks meditation, fasting amongst monks to express their solidarity and purity which only makes them receive the strength and power for the forthcoming prediction festivals. Special actions include – cutting with knives, walk on the walls with closed eyes, and answer questions related to the future predictions and so on. Any irrelevant question irks the monks.
Two special seats decorate the dais with one being for the His holiness The Dalai Lama and the other one for the Dalai Lama who is the incarnation. Tibetan Buddhism philosophy is explained through the Kangyur and Tengyur with different volumes. Big lamps also are placed which burn throughout the year and the walls are filled with wonderful paintings and Tibetan Buddhism arts and images of bodhisattvas. The ways in which these paintings are place deserve a mention. Every full moon day one can see devotees thronging the Maha Kali temple located in the nearby place.
Attractions Nearby
War Memorial with a high bronze statue say 30 feet high is a triangular granite cenotaph, with engraves is installed in memory of martyr soldiers who dedicated their life in discharge of their duties.
- Another important place of importance is Tiger Hill which is at about 5 kms from Ghum and is of taller than Ghum. The Darjeeling attracts tourists with a full view of the Kanchenjunga, also offers a wonderful view of the Mount Everest which happens to be the world’s highest peak.
- At a height of 7,900 feet, is Ghum Sukhia pokri which shows the wonderful view of the Balsan Valley the other hills placed beyond this.
Reach to This Place
- One can choose to reach the Ghoom Monastery by Air from Bagdogra through Taxi which are available comfortably.
- By Rail one can take trains from New Jalpaiguri, which is the nearest station. Take a taxi from New Jalpaiguri and reach Ghoom Station enroute to Darjeeling.
You can easily get taxis to reach Ghoom from the airport.
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