Gathemangal Festival 2025 Celebrated in Bhaktapur, Nepal

Locals in Bhaktapur celebrate the Gathemangal festival on July 23, 2025.
Gathemangal, also known as Ghantakarna Chaturdashi, is celebrated annually on Shrawan Krishna Chaturdashi, which falls in the months of June or July. This unique festival, observed by the Newar community across various parts of the Kathmandu Valley, is dedicated to warding off evil spirits and demons.

According to legend, a fearsome demon named “Ghantakarna” once terrorized the people, spreading fear and negativity. To drive away his spirit, locals create effigies symbolizing the demon. These dummies are crafted using straw and bamboo leaves for the body, with the face made from a nanglo—a traditional bamboo tray used for sifting rice—decorated with expressive artwork. Bells are attached to represent ears, emphasizing the demon’s menacing appearance.

The effigies are paraded through the streets and finally burned at major crossroads (chowks) in the city, symbolizing the purification of the community and the banishment of evil.