Ghanta Karna

Ghanta Karna is a Nepali festival celebrating the defeat of the mythical demon Ghanta-karna ("bell-ears"). According to the myth, the demon wore bell earrings in order to drown out the name of the god Shiva with their jingling. Attributed to him are acts of robbery, murder, and kidnapping of children. The festival is probably a relic of ancient demonolatry in the Kathmandu valley.