One of the most attractive features of this festival is the making of an effigy of Ghantakarna who is supposed to be the most cold blooded monster. As a legend goes long time ago a monster came to the Kathmandu valley to devour people and leave the valley desert. But before he worked out his plan he got himself killed by the people to their great relief. Ever since the Nepalese have been celebrating this day as a big festival.
On this day the effigy of the monster made of reeds at every crossing of the roads is set up. Every neighbourhood has thus one of these monster effigies and a big bunch of boys to look after that. Small boys are the most enthusiastic sponsors of this particular street show. From the very early morning on this day quite a number of kids are seen standing round the effigy in the street and collecting the Jagats (a kind of ceremonial toll) from the passersby. When they see a car coming or any other vehicles they all jump up with a big cry and block the road shouting at the tone of their voice, jagat. Jagat.' They don't let three dsunrveetroggoetutnhteil he pays the toll. Those who refuse to pay a. hell from the kids. Disappointed the. (a kids makethe make y Possible fun of them particular saying ly custom oe every would encourage them to), 'Here they k Ghantakarna' and so on. They plc up the suitable names y go the brothers of to call the violent passers-by quickly judgingaotrhrneaey 's b t g hear and sex. Sensitive people get ovetrhyeeyaseilvyeenmibf sed h t o h these horrible call names. custom, pay the toll and make their way out quietly.
Kids are busy all day long collecting necessary for the funeral of Ghantakarna and doing makeups on the effigy. When the evening falls they tie up the effigy with a strong rope and kick it several times in disgust and then drag it away shouting wild slogans until they reach a river where they throw it away into the water. Quite a battalion of kids join this drag-away-parade holding straw lamps in their hands which looks .quite colourful in the evening, Then the kids come all the way home singing a kind of victory song. One of the famous lines from the song is:
Peace we have now
victory to Nepal'
It is interesting to note that after Ghantakarna is dragged down to the river nobody is supposed to be hanging around in the street lest the dead monster should come back and make a good grind of the night walkers. For this fear, lots of elderly people never forget to lock up their doors from inside soon after they see the Ghantakarna off. Women sweep the house and throw away the dust suspecting that some evil spirits might be still lingering around on it. Some people drive the iron nails on the lintels of their door ways to check the devils from entering their houses. Iron nails are considered very good safeguards against evil spirits.
Another interesting aspect of this festival is the wearing of iron rings on this day. Many people wear the iron rings on this day to safeguard themselves from the attack of the evil spirits. This is a big day for the It-cls to make money. as welt ring as merriment. They do a very good business on this day and fill out their pockets with candy. As the traditional belief would have it those who wear the iron ring on this day will not suffer from evil spirits for the whole year Little girls hang up the dolls on the effigy of Ghantakarna to keep the monster away. Girls do this to make themselves feel safe and sound. Although this festival is celebrated all over Nepal, yet people depending upon which place they belong to, celebrate this festival in a bit different way following their own local tradition. For example, in Bhadgaon they celebrate it in a manner more mourning whereas Kathmanduites do it with great feelings and fun. The way Kathmanduites celebrate is quite fascinating. Kathmandu picks up a boy from the lowest class family who is strong and skilful enough to act as secondary scapegoat. He is kept almost naked and his face painted to make him look like a devil. Then he goes on his round to collect the tolls from door to door followed by a big bunch of the enthusiastic kids. When he approaches a door or a shop, holding out his hands he says. "My grand father is gone; help me with some money for his funeral." Everybody laughs at him when he says this. He is regarded as the closest relative of the Ghantakarna and so supposed to arrange everything required for the cremation of his dead grand-father. When it gets dark he undergoes the funeral rites. All the kids of the respective neighbourhood will be present there to see the scene. The first thing he will do is to go round the so called dead body of the Ghantakarna three times which is a big honour for the dead then he sets fire on the Ghantakarna amidst loud clappings and clamours of the people. After this he will be seated on the top of the effigy and the kids shouting all kinds of ugly words at him drag away the effigy down to the river and throw it away into the water. Thus the festival comes to the end.
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