Gathamaga Charhe, also known as Gathemangal is one of the famous one-day festival celebrated in the Newar community. It is celebrated each year on Shrawan Krishna Chaturdashi which lies in the month of June/July. On this day people make a demon-like dummy from straw and other things representing a devil and later burn it taking far away in order to cleanse devils from the society. It is also said that mosquito loses its one leg on this day. People nowadays also named this festival as Ghanta Karna but some people say that Ghanta Karna and Gathamaga are different.
Even though nobody knows when this festival was started, it has been mentioned to be celebrated in Lichhavi era in the history of Gopal Bansha. But there are many myths about this festival being celebrated in the middle age too.
It is said that after Bhagasthi also known as Bhal Bhal Asthami, Nawa Durga is considered as inactive and settles in water. Hence in the absence of the Durgas, evil spirits were free to enter the city and create havoc bringing illness and negative vibes in people.
According to some folklore, a demon named Gathamaga keeps terrifying people during this monsoon season. Hence people were scared and did not dare to go out. However frogs came for help. Frogs took the demon to the water swamp and let him drown. This way frog helped people to kill the demon and hence people also worship frog this day.
On this day, people wear iron rings to protect themselves from evil spirits and demons. People also keep three-legged nails on the top of their doors to protect from the evils. Similarly, people burn hay in every corner of the house to sweep away evil spirits from home.
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