A Unique Festival Takes Place in Madhyapur Thimi Today

Today, on the full moon day of the Ashwin month, the unique "Yenya Punhi Mye Pwaa Khanegu Jatra" or the Tongue-Piercing Festival is being held in Madhyapur Thimi, Bhaktapur. The festival will begin at 7:00 PM from the Digu Bhairav Dabali in Madhyapur Thimi-5, Diguli. A brave culture lover from the area, Virendra Bhakta Gaju Shrestha, is the one piercing his tongue this year to keep this tradition alive.

Two Tongue-Piercing Festivals in Thimi

There are two main tongue-piercing festivals in Madhyapur Thimi. The first one happens every year on the second day of Vaisakh month in Bode during the Biska: Jatra. The second one, the "Yenya Punhi Mye Pwaa Khanegu Jatra," is celebrated in Thimi the day after Indra Jatra, which is on this full moon day of Ashwin.

What Makes the Thimi Festival Special

These two festivals have different characteristics. In the Bode festival, only one person pierces their tongue, and the procession follows a fixed route. However, the Thimi festival is different. More than one person can have their tongue pierced if they wish. Another special feature is that there is no fixed route for the procession. The path is decided by the wishes of the person who has their tongue pierced.

This Year's Procession Route

Following this tradition, last year Virendra Bhakta visited the Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu after his tongue was pierced. This year, he has chosen to have a darshan (holy viewing) of the Dattatreya and Navadurga temples and then perform a circumambulation of the entire Bhaktapur city. The procession will follow a specific route through many important cultural and religious sites in Bhaktapur before concluding at Balakumari.

The Person Keeping the Tradition Alive

Virendra Bhakta first pierced his tongue for this festival in 2017 to revive a tradition that was nearly extinct. This is his fourth time participating. He shared that he is doing this to help preserve and promote the living culture and heritage of Madhyapur Thimi on a global stage.

Rituals and Preparation for the Festival

The preparation for the festival begins a month in advance. A special iron spike, about one foot long, is made by a blacksmith and soaked in pure mustard oil. The person piercing their tongue must formally request the blacksmith to make this spike one month prior, offering a red rooster. Traditional music, a special rice pudding called Yaa:mata, and various religious ceremonies are integral parts of the rituals before and during the festival.

The Main Ceremony

Before the piercing, the participant visits all the local temples with musical bands. The blacksmith and a representative carrying a royal sword from Hanuman Dhoka Palace in Kathmandu are also brought to the stage with great respect. After all rituals are complete, the participant is taken to the stage in traditional dress. In front of thousands of spectators, the blacksmith pierces the participant's tongue upon the order of the representative.

The City Circumambulation Begins

After the piercing, the cheered participant carries a large, specially prepared wooden torch on his shoulder and begins the city circumambulation. The general public follows behind, cheering and chanting. The procession route is chosen by the participant and includes visits to important temples. The festival concludes when the spike is removed and soil from the Balakumari temple is applied to the wound.

High Officials to Observe the Festival

This year, high-ranking officials including the Deputy Prime Minister and the Urban Development Minister are expected to observe the festival.

Large Crowd Gathers at Indra Daha Pond

On the day after Indra Jatra, a large fair and gathering takes place at the Indra Daha (Siddhapokhari) pond in Bhaktapur. It is believed that taking a holy bath in this pond and worshipping the Indrayani goddess brings great merit, family happiness, and prosperity. The pond is also associated with the serpent king Vasuki, and special prayers are held here during times of drought. The site contains ancient statues from the Licchavi and Malla periods, and a Shiva Linga where water offered is believed to cure throat illnesses.