Murkatta Explained

Murkatta is a headless ghost with eyes and mouth in chest and carrying its head tucked under its arm. Murkatta is mentioned in various Nepali culture and traditions. ^{[1] [2]} They are considered as the spirits from the dead.

The Murkatta is also interpreted as a person whose head has been cut down, symbolizing the defeat or a loss of intellect.^[3]

In contemporary culture and religion

The concept of Murkatta has inspired various works in contemporary culture, arts and literature. Some are listed below.

• In Kathmandu, Nepal, a festival is celebrated on the day of Ghode Jatra to scare away the Murkatta and prevent its evil eyes from the children.^[4]
• In Varanasi, India, a fifth century headless sculpture of the Buddha is worshipped as Murkatta Baba.^[5]
• The Sisne mountain(Nepali:सिस्ने हिमाल) in Rukum district is nicknamed as Murkatta in local language.^[6]
• Murkatta Lass is a Nepali book by Dirgabahu. ^[7]

See also

• Nepalese folklore

Notes and References

1. Book: Wilson-Howarth, J.. Bradt Travel Guides. 978-1-84162-435-8. A Glimpse of Eternal Snows: A Journey of Love and Loss in the Himalayas. BRADT TRAVEL GUIDES. 2013.
2. Web site: Wilson-Howarth.com - - How much is true?. 2021-04-28.
3. Book: Singh, Rana P. B.. 1st. Indica Books. 978-81-86569-45-0. Cultural landscapes and the lifeworld: literary images of Banaras ; based on the writings of Kabir, Tulasi, Mirza Ghalib, Bhartendu Harishchandra, Rudra Kashikeya, Bhishma Sahni, Raja Rao, Shivprasad Singh, Abdul Bismillah, Kashinath Singh, Pankaj Mishra. Varanasi. Pilgrimage & cosmology series. 2004.
4. Web site: घोडेजात्रा पर्व मनाइदै. प्रशासन. 2021-04-28.
5. Web site: Benares: A World Within a World (The Microcosm of Kashi Yesterday and Today). 2021-05-17.
6. Web site: Sisne Himal - Nepal Travel Guide. 2021-05-17.
7. Web site: Madan Puraskar Pustakalaya. 2021-04-28.