Ghantakarna (Gathamuga)

In ancient times there lived an extreme atheist and aghori. So that he would not have to hear God's name, he went about with large bells hung on both his ears, and because of this his name became 'Ghantakarna' (bell-eared).

He would sit at the crossroads and forcibly collect jagat (a tax) from passers-by, and torment those who did not pay.

One day, while Ghantakarna was absorbed in samadhi to his own tune, he died. The townspeople breathed a sigh of relief and celebrated joyfully. They dressed up a chandala as an aghori and had him collect alms from neighbourhood to neighbourhood saying 'ajju de ha', and, making an effigy of Ghantakarna, they carried it to the riverbank and burned it.

Thus, in remembrance of the end of the wicked demon, the custom arose in the Valley of making a three-legged Gathamuga out of narkat reeds and chhwali straw, burning it toward evening, celebrating the festival of 'Ghantakarna' (Gathamuga Chahre), and driving away ghosts and evil spirits.