Birendrabhakta to perform tongue-piercing ritual for fifth time

Bhaktapur, Sept 18: Birendrabhakta Gaju Shrestha, 39, of Balkumari, Madhyapur Thimi-4, is set to perform the traditional tongue-piercing ritual for the fifth time on September 26, coinciding with Yenya Punhi.

Shrestha has announced that he will continue the ritual as part of efforts to preserve and revive the centuries-old cultural tradition of Madhyapur Thimi.

The tradition was revived in 2074 BS under Shrestha’s leadership. He subsequently performed the tongue-piercing ritual in 2079, 2081 and 2082 BS.

Before Shrestha revived the tradition, Krishna Nanicha Shrestha of Madhyapur Thimi had performed the ritual three times—in 2052, 2057 and 2063 BS.

The festival traditionally begins with the tongue-piercing ceremony at the Dabali of the Digu Bhairav Temple in Madhyapur Thimi in the presence of thousands of devotees and spectators. After the ceremony, the person performing the ritual may proceed to the Pashupatinath Temple according to their wish.

According to local legend, the tradition originated after evil spirits and demons were believed to have terrorised Thimi and killed people indiscriminately. A man is said to have had his tongue pierced and been paraded around the town, after which the evil forces fled and peace was restored.

The ritual is performed on the evening of Bhadra Shukla Purnima. An approximately one-foot-long iron needle, soaked in oil, is pierced through the tongue of the designated person at the Digu Bhairav Temple’s Dabali.

The procession then proceeds towards Pashupatinath Temple before returning to Balkumari Temple, where the needle is removed.

Local residents believe that observing the tradition helps protect the community from diseases, famine and natural disasters.