Ghantakarna was created by Lord Shiva to help Goddess
Bhadrakali overcome smallpox. He had the power to lick smallpox out a person’s
body. The demon wore bells in his ears hence the name Ghantakarna.
Ghantakarna wrongly believed that Lord Vishnu was his enemy.
Here therefore put bells (ghanta) in his ears (karnas) to not to hear the name
Vishnu. However, Shiva revealed to Ghantakarna that all manifestations are the
essence of the Supreme.
He then became a devotee of Vishnu and chanted the name of
the Lord to attain salvation.
Ghantakarna is believed to have met Sri Krishna at
Badaryasrama and here he witnessed the Vishwaroopa. After this incident,
Ghantakarna attained moksha and entered Vaikunta.
Some Vaishnava temples have the image of Ghantakarna. In the
sculptures, he has eighteen hands. He is offered prayers for cure of diseases.