Tongue-piercing festival being observed in Madhyapur Thimi

Bhaktapur, September 7

The traditional Yenya Punhi Mye Pwa Khnegu Jatra (tongue-piercing festival) is being observed this evening in Madhyapur Thimi on the occasion of Ashwin Shukla Purnima. The festival will begin at 7 pm from the Digu Bhairav Dabali in Madhyapur Thimi-5.

As in previous years, Birendrabhakta Gaju Shrestha, a cultural enthusiast from Balkumari, Madhyapur Thimi-4, will pierce his tongue to continue the age-old ritual. Thimi has a tradition of two tongue-piercing festivals; the first in Bode on the second day of the Nepali New Year (Baisakh 2) during Biska Jatra, and the second in Thimi on Ashwin Shukla Purnima, the day after Indra Jatra.

Unlike the Bode festival, where only one person pierces the tongue following a fixed circumambulation route, the Thimi festival allows more than one participant, and the procession route is not predetermined. The circumambulation depends on the wish of the tongue-piercing participant. Last year, Shrestha visited the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu after piercing his tongue, while this year, he will visit Bhaktapur’s Dattatreya and Navadurga temples before circumambulating the city.

According to the festival management committee, Shrestha will pierce his tongue in front of the Digu Bhairav Temple, carry a large wooden and bamboo oil lamp on his shoulders, and circumambulate the city while following traditional routes and rituals. The procession will pass through various cultural and religious sites, including Thasma Ganesh, Balkumari Shankhadhar Chowk, Barahi, Sallaghari, Siddhapokhari, Durbar Square, Sukuldhoka, Dattatreya Temple, Navadurga Dyoche, Taumadhi, Nyatapola Temple, Bhimsen Chowk, and other locations before concluding at Balkumari.

Shrestha first pierced his tongue in 2017 to revive the declining festival. He has since repeated the ritual in 2022 and 2023. “Madhyapur Thimi is a living repository of art and culture. By continuing this tradition, I want to preserve and promote Thimi’s identity to the world,” he said, explaining that his choice of temples to visit reflects his personal devotion.

The ritual requires preparations a month in advance, including the making of a one-foot-long iron needle dipped in mustard oil. The tongue-piercing is conducted by a Kaminayo priest, while the royal sword is brought from Hanumandhoka Durbar in Kathmandu as part of the tradition. The festival also includes sacrificial rituals, feasting, and community offerings.

Before the tongue is pierced, the participant visits local temples with musical processions. The piercing is performed in front of thousands of spectators at the Digu Bhairav Dabali. Following this, the participant sets off on a city-wide circumambulation carrying the giant oil lamp, accompanied by devotees chanting and cheering. The ritual concludes when the priest removes the iron needle at Balkumari Temple, applies sacred soil to the wound, and offers prayers.

This year, Deputy Prime Minister and Urban Development Minister Prakash Man Singh, Bagmati Province’s Tourism and Culture Minister Suresh Shrestha, Bhaktapur Constituency-2 lawmaker Durlabh Thapa, and Provincial Health Minister Kiran Thapa are expected to attend, according to Madhyapur Thimi Mayor Surendra Shrestha.

Crowds gather at Indradaha in Bhaktapur

Meanwhile, large crowds of devotees gathered at Indradaha (Siddhapokhari) in Bhaktapur since early morning to mark Bhadra Shukla Purnima. Traditionally, the day after Indra Jatra sees a major fair at the sacred pond.

On Friday evening, the idol of Indrayani Devi was taken in a musical procession to Indradaha and worshipped through tantric rituals, where it will remain overnight. Believed to be the pond where Lord Indra once bathed, Indradaha is considered highly sacred. Bathing in its waters and offering prayers to Indrayani Devi is believed to bring blessings, prosperity, and family well-being.

Indradaha is also believed to be the abode of Basuki Nag (divine serpent), and locals traditionally perform rituals there during times of drought. The pond area contains sculptures of Shaiva, Shakta, Baishnav, and Buddhist deities dating back to the Licchavi and Malla periods. Local belief holds that offering water to the Shivalinga at Indradaha cures throat ailments.

—Laxmi Garu/RSS

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