KATHMANDU: The Newar communities throughout Nepal, including the Kathmandu Valley, are celebrating the Ghathe Mangal festival today, coinciding with Shrawan Krishna Paksha Gantakarna Chaturdashi. This festival is a time of grand celebrations, centered around the worship of Gantakarna and prayers for peace and prosperity. The festivities include constructing a monster figure made of reeds and wheat stalks, which is placed in the streets, and designating a person as a demon to collect donations.

In the evening, the monster effigy and various utensils are transported to a river, street, or outside the city and set on fire. The event is marked by traditional songs with humorous or provocative lyrics and the playing of traditional musical instruments as the effigy is burned. The day starts with the Newar community cleaning their homes, followed by bathing and visiting temples dedicated to Mahadev and Narayan. Water from these visits is sprinkled throughout the home for purification, and no food is eaten until this process is complete.

Following the purification rituals, the Newars perform an exorcism ritual known as 'bau vai jy'. This involves creating a small bowl from raw clay or Salicha filled with beaten rice, scallions, garlic, red chilies, black soybeans, colorful flags, and wooden sticks. The bowl is taken to a junction of roads to drive away evil spirits. Additionally, peacock feathers of five colors and three-legged iron nails are attached to the main door to prevent ghosts from entering.

The festival is named after Gantakarna, a demon known for walking with bells on his ears, symbolizing Shiva's rejection of other deities. The tradition of making and raising a Gantakarna effigy aims to deter evil deeds, as recounted in the Rudrayamal Tantra. The evening concludes with the burning of the effigy. This day also marks the beginning of preparations for traditional dances and musical performances, including the satirical plays of Gaijatra and the Navadurga dance of Bhaktapur.