KATHMANDU: The Newar community in the Kathmandu Valley celebrated Gathe Mangal on Friday, a festival dedicated to warding off evil spirits and welcoming good fortune.
The festival, also known as ‘Gaanthaamo’ or ‘Gathaanmo,’ involves the burning of demon effigies to symbolize the eradication of evil.
Participants wear iron rings for protection and make offerings to a semi-naked man representing the demon Ghantakarna, who is adorned with black tar and drawings.
Families cleaned their homes and enjoyed traditional Samaybaji, a dish made of beaten rice, black soybeans, garlic, ginger, meat, and potatoes.
Girls in the community also adorned their hands with henna.
Some link Ghantakarna to Lord Bhairav, considering him an incarnation of the deity due to their similar appearances and names.
Here some pictures of the celebration taken by Khabarhub photojournalist Chirayu Shakya:
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