Lakshminarayan Matha
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Lakshminarayan Matha | |
|---|---|
लक्ष्मीनारायण मठ | |
 View of the Shree Lakshminarayan Matha in Matihani | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Mahottari |
| Province | Madhesh Pradesh |
| Deity | Lakshmi Narayan |
| Festivals | Mithila Madhya Parikrama |
| Governing body | Mahant Jagannath Das Vaishnav |
| Location | |
| Location | Matihani |
| Country |  Nepal |
 Interactive map of Lakshminarayan Matha | |
| Coordinates | 26°36′46″N 85°50′44″E / 26.6126708°N 85.8454698°E |
| Architecture | |
| Founder | Tasmaiya Baba |
| Established | 1694 CE |
| Also known as Matihani Matha | |
Lakshminarayan Matha (Maithili: लक्ष्मीनारायण मठ) also known as Matihani Matha is an ancient Hindu monastery in the Mithila region of the Indian subcontinent. It is located in the Matihani town of the Mahottari district in Nepal.[1] It is a major centre for Sanskrit and Vedic learning in the Mithila region. It is an apex institution for the Hindu religious matters in the region. The location of the monastery is associated with the Matkor ceremony of the marriage of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita in the Treta Yuga. It related to the epic Ramayana of Hinduism.[2][3][4]
The Lakshminarayan Matha is a major destination for the pilgrimage of the historical and spiritual journey of the Mithila Madhya Parikrama in the region.[4] According to legend, it is believed that in the Treta Yuga of Ramayana, the ritual of Matkor was performed here before the marriage of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita. There is a sacred pond on the south side of the Matha believed to be location where the Matkor ritual was conducted in the Ramayana. According to the Mahant Jagannath Das Vaishnav of the monastery, the location is mentioned in the text Ramcharitmanas composed by the Awadhi poet Tulsi Das. The sacred pond is presently known as Lakshmi Sagar.[3]
The monastery comes under the tradition of the Vaishnava sect in Hinduism. It is the apex Hindu monastery of the Vaishnava sect in region. It is looked after and regulated by the Mahant of the monastery. The present Mahant of the monastery is Jagannath Das Vaishnav. He is also called as Jagannath Das Shastri.[1] The main Mahant of the monastery is assisted by Chhota Mahant. The present Chhota Mahant of the monastery Dr. Ravindra Das Vaishnav.[3] The main Mahant of the Matha holds an important place in the Himalayan nation of Nepal. During the monarchy era in Nepal, the Mahant of the Lakshminarayan Matha was the permanent ex officio guru of the royal court in the Kingdom.[5]
