Home Update Politics National International Economy Opinion Interview Health Tourism Review eMagazine
Kathmandu Valley Celebrates Ghanta Karna Festival
One can see a bundle of green reeds with straw ropes erected at different places of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur today. People have hanged the effigy of Ghantakarna (a mythical being) to celebrate the Gathemangal.
In some areas of Patan, people hang small home-made dolls and other colorful ribbons. At midnight, people will carry the bundle of straw to nearby rivers as a symbol of death of demon.
Although the tradition is gradually vanishing, some children in each neighborhood are collecting donations from the passerby to make an effigy of the demon god. After erecting them in whole day, the effigy will be taken to the river and burnt representing the victory of locals over the demon god.
It is a Newari festival celebrating the defeat of the mythical demon Ghanta-karna ("bell-ears") or "Gatha-Mungal" in local Newari language. The festival is celebrated every year on Shrawan Krishna Chaturdashi.
According to the myth, the demon wore bell earrings in order to drown out the name of the god Shiva with their jingling. Attributed to him are acts of robbery, murder, and kidnapping of children. Experts hold the view that the festival is probably a relic of ancient demonolatry in the Kathmandu valley.
People wear iron rings on their fingers with a belief of protecting themselves from the demons and evil spirits. Wearing those rings is just a part of the festival; Gathemangal is a lot more than that and various rituals will see in different parts of the City.
Like all the festivals of Kathmandu, the festival of Gathemangal is an example of the victory of good over evil.
Sources: Various Newspapers
Photo Courtesy : Deshsanchar
Bhutan Votes In Third Election As India And China Tussle For Influence
What's New In The Amitabh Bachchan Show: Kaun Banega Crorepati 10
England Beat India By 60 Runs
Brazil's 200 Years Old National Museum Hit By Huge Fire
Water Spotted At Jupiter's Great Red Spot: NASA
More on Festivals and Culture
Lunar Eclipse Today Time And Other Information By NEW SPOTLIGHT ONLINE 10 hours, 37 minutes ago
Nepali Celebrates Guru Purnima Or Vyasa Purnima By NEW SPOTLIGHT ONLINE 10 hours, 49 minutes ago
Guthi Bill Withdrawn By NEW SPOTLIGHT ONLINE 2 weeks, 6 days ago
Guthi Agitators Announce Second Round Of Agitation By NEW SPOTLIGHT ONLINE 3 weeks, 3 days ago
Minister Aryal Likely To Withdraw Guthi Bill On June 25 By NEW SPOTLIGHT ONLINE 3 weeks, 5 days ago
Tens Of Thousands People Assembled To Protest Guthi Bill, Agitators Call For Vigilance Against The Government By NEW SPOTLIGHT ONLINE 3 weeks, 6 days ago
UN Is Ready Tow Work In the Flood Affected Countries: UN Secretary General By NEW SPOTLIGHT ONLINE Jul 16, 2019
Two Dead, 40 Trapped As 100-Year-old Structure Collapsed In Dongri By NEW SPOTLIGHT ONLINE Jul 16, 2019
COAS General Thapa Returns Completing A Week-Long Visit To United Nations By NEW SPOTLIGHT ONLINE Jul 16, 2019
Nepal Army Rescued 723 People From Flood Affected Areas (Photo Feature) By NEW SPOTLIGHT ONLINE Jul 16, 2019
Heavy Rainfall Likely At One Or Two Places, Flood To Recedes In Terai By NEW SPOTLIGHT ONLINE Jul 16, 2019
Nepal Investment Bank Ltd. Acquires Jebil's Finance Ltd. By NEW SPOTLIGHT ONLINE Jul 15, 2019
VOL 12 No.21, June 28 –18 July, 2019 (Ashad 13, 2076) Online Register Number: DOI 584/074-75
VOL 12 No.20, Jun 07 –27 June, 2019 (Jestha 24, 2076/074-75) Online Register Number: DOI 584
VOL 12 No.19, May 17 –06 June, 2019 (Jestha 03, 2076) Online Register Number: DOI 584/074-75
VOL 12 No.18, May 3 -16,2019 (Baisakh.20, 2076) Online Register Number: DOI 584/074-75
About Us Contact Us Advertisement Terms
© 2017 New Spotlight Nepal. All Rights Reserved.