KATHMANDU, Aug 9: The Newar community of the Kathmandu valley observed Gathe Mangal, a festival celebrated to chase away evil spirits and usher in good fortunes, with much fanfare on Thursday.

It is celebrated every year on Shrawan Krishna Chaturdashi. Also called ‘Gaanthaamo’ or ‘Gathaanmo’, Newars celebrate the festival burning effigies of demon to protect themselves and get rid of demons and evil spirits. In Newari, ‘gaan’ means bell and ‘mo’ means head, which collectively refers to the demon of the festival - Ghantakarna. 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. 

Apart from the effigies, people celebrated the festival by offering money, clothes, salt and handmade dolls to a semi-naked man, who for the occasion wore black tar on his face. Numerous shapes of sensual nature are drawn all over his body to make him a symbolic representation of Ghantakarna.

On an individual level, Newars customarily clean their houses and celebrate the day by eating Samaybaji made of beaten rice, black soybean, garlic, ginger, meat and potatoes. Girls of the community are also seen wearing henna during the occasion.

Few others associate Ghantakarna with Lord Bhairav. Given the similarities in their looks and name, Ghantakarna is taken as an incarnation of Lord Bhairav. Both are referred to as Aaju Dyo. 

 
• #gathemangal
 
• #culture
 
• #evilspirits