Eggsquisitely Mythical #22: Nepal

Dr. Fizza Younis
Jun 26
4 min read

Hello, fellow eggs and mythology lovers!

For our next Eggsquisitely Mythical issue, we are doing a deep dive on the deities, mythical creatures, and spirits of Nepal.

Background

Nepal is a landlocked country nestled mainly among the mountains of Himalayas. It borders Tibet (autonomous region of China) to the north and India to south, east, and west. It is narrowly separated from Bangladesh by the Siliguri Corridor, and from Bhutan by the Indian state of Sikkim. Kathmandu is the nation's capital and its largest city.

Nepal is a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-religious, and multi-cultural state, with Nepali as the official language. Its stories are not tucked away in dusty manuscripts. They’re lived on winding mountain trails, chanted in quiet shrines, and stitched into the daily rhythm of life. Here, gods aren’t distant. They walk among people as guardians, tricksters, and guides. With its rich history and geographical situation, in Nepal, mythology is not folklore but its heritage, heartbeat, and home.

Gods and Goddesses

Shiva: In Nepali mythology, Shiva is the god of destruction and transformation. He is the god who destroys evil and help the creation of new life. Shiva is worshipped as Pashupatinath in Nepal. Bhairav (or Bhairava) is wrathful, transformative energy of Shiva. His name comes from bhīru, meaning “terrifying,” but he’s not evil—he’s the force that destroys ego, ignorance, and deceit to clear the path for truth.
In Nepal, Bhairav is especially revered in the Kathmandu Valley, where his presence is woven into festivals, legal rituals, and urban guardianship.
Parvati: The goddess of fertility is also the consort of Shiva according to Nepali myths. She is often worshiped as the goddess of love and represented as motherly figure. She is also worshipped in Nepal in her fierce forms like Durga and Kali, especially during Dashain. Nepali mythology often shows the relationship between Shiva and Parvati as the balance between power and compassion.
Vishnu: A Hindu god, who is deeply revered in Nepalese mythology. He’s known for maintaining cosmic order. Another name for him in Nepali mythology is Narayan. His reclining form at Budhanilkantha Temple—the Sleeping Vishnu—is one of the most iconic and sacred images in Nepal.
Lakshmi: Goddess of wealth and prosperity, honored during Tihar, when homes are lit with oil lamps to welcome her blessings. She is the consort of Vishnu.
Tara: A beloved goddess in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Green Tara symbolizes active compassion, while White Tara represents longevity and serenity
Avalokiteshvara: The Bodhisattva of compassion, often depicted with multiple arms and eyes, watching over all beings. His presence is especially strong in Kathmandu Valley. The famous mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum” is associated with Avalokiteshvara and is widely chanted in Nepal as a symbol of universal compassion.

Mythical Beings and Local Spirits

Nagas: Serpent deities believed to guard water sources and bring rain. They’re honored during Naga Panchami with offerings to ensure protection and fertility.
Kumari: The Living Goddess—young girls from the Newar community are chosen to embody divine energy until puberty. They are worshipped as living incarnations of Taleju (a form of Durga).
Yeti: The legendary snow creature of the Himalayas, known locally as Meh-Teh. Though elusive, it remains a powerful symbol of mystery and reverence for nature.
Cheppu: A grotesque creature said to have lived in the ancient lake that once covered Kathmandu Valley. According to some versions, Manjushree sketched Cheppu’s head before it disappeared, which is why only the head is depicted above temple doors
Kawa Cha: A skeletal being that snatches children through windows. Traditional lattice windows (Tiki Jhya) were designed to keep it out. (Note: Tiki Jhya are also a hallmark of Newar architecture, not just protective folklore.)
Bhakunde Bhoot: A faceless, limbless ghost that rolls like a ball and clings to children in the dark. Said to be repelled by Hanuman Chalisa or jute bags nailed to the floor.
Lakhey: A demon-like figure who protects children and wards off evil. During Indra Jatra, dancers don terrifying masks to embody Lakhey’s chaotic energy.
Khyah: Hairy, dwarf-like creatures that live in dark corners of homes. White Khyahs bring good luck; black ones bring mischief and illness.
Gurumapa: A child-eating giant who was banished to Tundikhel in Kathmandu. He’s still offered an annual feast during Ghode Jatra to keep him appeased.
Kichkandi: A ghostly woman in a red bridal dress with backward feet. Said to haunt roadsides and forests, luring travelers—especially men—into the unknown.
Murkatta: A headless ghost that carries its own head under its arm, with eyes and a mouth on its chest. Often associated with violent or unjust deaths.
Chhauda: The spirit of a deceased child, visible only to other children. Though not malevolent, its presence is believed to cause illness or nightmares.
Churel: A vengeful female spirit, often of a woman who died during childbirth or was wronged in life. She appears beautiful at first but reveals a terrifying form. Also believed to exist in other South Asian regions. However, in Nepal, she’s often linked to rural ghost stories and ritual exorcisms.