Birendra Bhakta Shrestha pierces tongue third time

BY A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Sept.20: Thirty seven-year-old Birendra Bhakta Shrestha of Digu Tole in Ward- 4 of the Madhyapur Thimi Municipality has pierced his tongue to continue the age-old tradition for the third time after a gap of one year. 

The tongue-piercing festival of Digu Tole is marked the day after the Indra Jatra every year. The tongue-piercing ceremony was held at the Dabali in front of the Bhairav Temple at 7.00 pm on Wednesday night. 

After piercing the tongue with 10-inch-long and half-inch thick iron needles, Birendra visited different localities of Bode for three hours carrying a half-moon-shaped Mahadeep made using 13 sticks of Nigalo (a type of bamboo). 

After visiting different localities in Madhyapur Thimi, Shrestha including local visited Pasupatinath temple. On the day, oil-fed lamps were lit in each temple of Madhyapur Thimi. They returned to Degu Tole after circumambulating the Pashupatinath Temple.

 The practice of visiting Pashupatinath after tongue-piercing was revived only last year. After completing the walking part, the iron needle was taken out in front of Balkumari Temple and the hole in the tongue was filled with mud from that temple. The needle is kept at the temple’s door.  

A record has been found that 17 people had pierced their tongue in the past. As per the tradition, the needles should be taken to Balkumari Temple after piercing the tongue.

Earlier, in 1999, 2003 and 2006 Krishna Nani Shrestha had performed tongue piercing act. Last year, Balakram Nani Shrestha had his tongue pierced.  

The needle is made in the shape of a trident with three needles and is used to pierce the tongue by its tips.