Bhaktapur, Sept 18: Birendrabhakta Gaju Shrestha, a 39-year-old resident of Balkumari in Madhyapur Thimi Municipality-4, is set to perform the tongue-piercing ritual again this year. He has stepped forward to keep this festival and tradition alive by performing the ritual for the fifth time. Shrestha announced that he would continue performing the tongue-piercing ritual on Saturday, September 26, the day of Yenya Punhi.
It may be noted that the festival was revived in 2074 BS under Birendrabhakta’s leadership. Since then, he performed the ritual in the years 2079, 2081, and 2082 BS. Previously, Krishna Nanicha Shrestha of Madhyapur Thimi had performed the tongue-piercing ritual for three times in 2052, 2057, and 2063 BS.
The festival begins with the tongue-piercing ritual performed before thousands of people at the Dabali (open-air platform) of the Digu Bhairav Temple in Madhyapur Thimi. It is customary for the person performing the ritual to proceed to the Pashupatinath Temple afterward, in accordance with their own wish.
According to legend, in ancient times, when evil spirits and demons were wreaking havoc in Thimi and indiscriminately killing people, a man had his tongue pierced and was paraded around the town to bring the situation under control. It is said that the evil spirits fled following this event, restoring peace to the area.
On the evening of the full moon day of Bhadra (Bhadra Shukla Purnima), a ritual involving the piercing of the tongue with an oil-soaked iron needle approximately one foot in length—takes place at the Dabali of the Digu Bhairav Temple. The tradition involves a procession that travels to the Pashupatinath Temple and eventually returns to the Balkumari Temple, where the needle is removed. It is believed that observing this festival protects the town from diseases, famine, and natural disasters.
