Newari community in Nepal celebrates Gathemangal festival

Jul 27, 2022

Bhaktapur (Nepal), July 27 (ANI): In the east corner of Nepal's Kathmandu valley, Bhaktapur city observed a unique festival called Gathemangal or Ghantakarna Chaturdashi where the effigies of a demon king named ‘Ghantakarna’ were burnt by Newari people. The annual festival is held every year during the monsoon month of 'Sawan'. While people have grown up with intriguing tales and their versions, there is one popular belief that Ghantkarna would meet-out atrocities on common people. He would kidnap children and women and would demand ransom. The demon got his name from the bells on his ears, i.e., 'Ghanta' meaning ‘bell’ and Karna means ‘ears’. The rings have faith in protecting people from unpleasant sounds and evil spirits. Residents say such a festival symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. On the day of the Gathemangal festival, an effigy of 'Ghantakarna' is erected using hay straws and other decorative items on a street to be burnt later, marking the victory of good over evil. People cleaned their houses and prepared a traditional meal called Samaybaji, a food mixed of beaten rice, ginger, black soybeans, chhoila, potato, garlic. They stick a small patch of cow’s dung with different plants in the doors to purify their house. One of the most important festivals of the Newari community, it is believed that it brings good fortunes. This festival is also celebrated as a symbol of cleanliness as the garbage inside and outside the house is cleaned and disposed of in a systematic manner.