Locals in Bhaktapur build effigies of the demon Ghantakarna out of sticks and straw only to burn it in the end, symbolising the destruction of evil. Photographer Gopen Rai captures the Ghantakarna festival celebrations in the Dattatreya temple area at Bhaktapur on Wednesday.
A man makes an effigy of a demon using straws for the Gathe Mangal festival at Bhaktapur.
A man carries bamboo to make an effigy of the demon during the Gathe Mangal festival.
A man decorates the effigy of the demon with portraits of demons for the Gathe Mangal festival.
The portrait of a demon is kept on an effigy during the Gathe Mangal festival.
People gather to watch the burning of demon effigies at the Dattatreya temple area during the Gathe Mangal festival.
A woman swings her child around the fire where an effigy of the demon Ghantakarna is burnt to symbolize the destruction of evil, during the Gathe Mangal festival.
People carry an effigy of the demon Ghantakarna, while another effigy of the demon is burnt, to symbolize the destruction of evil during the Ghantakarna festival.
Locals burn an effigy of the demon during the Gathe Mangal festival.
