घन्तकर्न

Ghantakarna (Gathemanga in Newari)

Buddhist/Hindu Newar Festival to mark the death of the Demon

Gathemanga is celebrated in Kathmandu Valley in July which signals the end of the rice planting season and marks the beginning of the autumn festival season. The festival represents a ritual detoxification of the city or is observed as the day of eliminating the evil “Ghantakarna”, giant demon. According to a local legend, there used to be a demon named Ghantakarna (Ear with bell) as he had a pair of bells on his ears (Ghanta means ‘bell’ and Karna means ‘ears’) who terrified the people by stealing children and women and demanding money and other gifts from the villagers. Continue reading →