Gathan-Muga

This year Gathan-muga is on 8 Aug 2010. It is also called Gathemangal. At the time when local community used to rely heavily on agriculture for livelihood, they were very superstitious about evil spirit spelling evilness onto their harvest. They consulted a famous Tantric to permanently ward off this fear. People were told to put on iron rings on fingers and hammer iron nails into door lintels to drive away evil spirit.

Gathan-Muga

This year Gathan-muga is on 8 Aug 2010. It is also called Gathemangal. At the time when local community used to rely heavily on agriculture for livelihood, they were very superstitious about evil spirit spelling evilness onto their harvest. They consulted a famous Tantric to permanently ward off this fear. People were told to put on iron rings on fingers and hammer iron nails into door lintels to drive away evil spirit.

Bhoto Jatra (Festival of Vest):

Bhoto Jatra (Festival of Vest):

Once there was a Nag Raj (King of the Snakes) whose kingdom was in Karkotaka daha (pond), which is located at the southern part of Nepal. One day he went in search of a baidhya (traditional doctor) as his wife, Nagin (Queen of the Snakes) was ill. He came across a Farmer (who was knowledgeable about herbs and medicines) and the farmer healed the Nagin. King Nag became very happy and rewarded him an beautiful bhoto (vest) decorated with precious stones, diamonds and gold.

The farmer was working in the field as usual, but unfortunately one day his bhoto was stolen by somebody. But when that farmer was attending Machhindranath festival at Jawalakhel, he saw someone wearing the same bhoto (given by Nag Raj). A quarrel ensued between the farmer and the man wearing the vest. Finally both were taken to the King’s court for the final settlement. The king was not satisfied with either side’s evidence so in the end the king decided to demonstrate the vest during Machhindra Jatra. There would be a huge gathering during the festival and the vest would be handed over to the person who could prove that the vest belonged to him or her.

This is the same bhoto, which is demonstrated to this very day in Jawalakhel, Lagankhel Kathmandu……………… till now nobody has succeed to claim it so maybe it can be yours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!