Rabin Man Shakya
(A Newar Vajracharya priest worshipping the Chatha Dyo in Kathmandu.)
Chatha Nakha (Chatha festival) is one of the interesting festivals of the Newah people of the Kathmandu valley in Nepal.
Chatha is also considered a miniature 'Mohani Nakha' by the Newah people. It is believed that if you celebrate Chatha festival in a good way, your celebration of Mohani Nakha will be great too for you.
This miniature Mohani Nakha is celebrated by the Newah people of the Kathmandu valley on the fourth day of the Bhadra Shukla Chauthi or Yolan Thwo Chauthi as per the Lunar calendar of Nepal Sambat.
The Newah people worship different Gods on different festivals. They even worship Chatha Dyo who is considered a Thief God. That is why if you call somebody Chatha Dyo, he will be very mad at you.
Knowingly or unknowingly, willingly or reluctantly, people commit some mistakes sometimes or even steal cash or other stuffs from other people. Chatha Dyo is worshipped so as to wipe away the wrongdoings in the past and move ahead for a good and prosperous life.
It may be a coincidence, but Ganesh Chaturthi also falls on the Day of Chatha festival. As Lord Ganesh was born on this day, this day is also known as Ganesh Chaturthi. This festival of the Newah people is known as Chatha Nakha because it is celebrated on the Day of Chauthi.
On this day, the idol of Lord Ganesh at the local temples of Lord Ganesh at various neighborhoods in the Kathmandu valley is taken out on palanquins on different local streets for jatra and worshipping.
