Sujan Bagh Shrestha to pierce his tongue for the third time at Bode Festival

By Binu Shrestha,Kathmandu, Apr. 13: Sujan Bagh Shrestha, a 30-year-old native of Khasi Tole in Bode, Ward No. 8, has shown his readiness to pierce his tongue for the third time at the upcoming tongue-piercing festival.

Bode, a Newar settlement in Madhyapur Thimi, Bhaktapur, is renowned for its ancient tongue-piercing festival, celebrated every year on the second day of the Nepali New Year.

As the famous tongue-piercing festival of Bhaktapur’s Bode approaches, the community is busy preparing for the necessary arrangements. Tongue piercer Shrestha has also begun following the festival's traditional rituals since Wednesday.

Speaking with The Rising Nepal, Shrestha shared that he had started staying at home, avoiding visits to others' homes, and refraining from consuming chicken in accordance with the customs. The three-day fast, during which he will drink only water, will begin on Sunday and continue until the day of the tongue-piercing.

Reflecting on his previous experiences with tongue-piercing, Shrestha said that it was a moment of great excitement and happiness, rather than fear, to take part in such a glorious and ancient tradition. He emphasised that it has been made possible with the support he has received from the community, his friends and divine power.

Sujan is the youngest son of Buddha Krishna Bagh Shrestha, who has previously pierced his tongue nine times during the festival. His father, Buddha Krishna Bagh Shrestha, first pierced his tongue between 2005 and 2008 but temporarily stopped the tradition following his mother’s death. However, he resumed the practice in 2016, after Juju Bhai Basan, who had pierced his tongue for eight consecutive years from 2009 to 2015, stopped continuing the tradition.

His father continued the tradition regularly until 2022, except during the pandemic years.

Speaking about his first experience of tongue piercing in 2023, Shrestha said, "I felt more excitement and happiness than fear, knowing that I was taking on the responsibility of continuing this age-old tradition."

Dharma Nakarni, a 69-year-old resident of the same area, has prepared the iron needles for the festival. The thick, 10-inch-long iron needles are coated with a metal primer to protect them from rust and are soaked in mustard oil for four days before the festival.

Krishna Chandra Bagh Shrestha, Sujan's 60-year-old elder uncle, will pierce his tongue with a 10-inch-long iron skewer on the second day of the Nepali New Year, in front of the large crowd that gathers to witness the ceremony.

Krishna Chandra Bagh Shrestha has been regularly piercing his tongue for 20 years and has pierced his tongue 13 times, from 1992 to 2004.

According to historical records, 13 people have pierced their tongues in the festival's 110-year history. The first recorded person to pierce his tongue was Harka Narsingh Shrestha, who participated in the tradition for 22 years, from 1912 to 1933.

Following him, Bekha Narayan Shrestha pierced his tongue 32 times, from 1934 to 1965. Haridev Kila Shrestha did it only once in 1966. Hari Bhasink Shrestha continued the tradition three times from 1967 to 1969, and Indra Bata Shrestha did it twice in 1970 and 1971.

From 1972 to 1974, Harieshwar Bayan Shrestha pierced his tongue three times. Other participants included Chandrasen Dyo Shrestha (seven times from 1975 to 1981), Dil Kumar Khape Shrestha (seven times from 1982 to 1989), and Krishna Chandra Bagh Shrestha, who pierced his tongue 13 times from 1992 to 2004.

Buddha Krishna Bagh Shrestha first pierced his tongue between 2005 and 2008, and Juju Bhai Basan took part in the ceremony from 2009 to 2016. Buddha Krishna resumed the practice from 2016 to 2022. Now, Sujan Bagh Shrestha has been taking part in the ceremony since 2023.

A large crowd gathers every year to witness this fascinating and revered ceremony. It is believed that King Jagajyoti Malla initiated this festival, and it has been a popular tradition ever since.