29-Year-Old Sujan Bag Shrestha to Continue Historic Bode Tongue-Piercing Festival

Bhaktapur. In Bode, Madhyapur Thimi Municipality, the famous 'Tongue-Piercing Festival' celebrated every year on Baisakh 2, will see 29-year-old Sujan Bag Shrestha continue the tradition by piercing his tongue for the fourth time this year.

Sujan, the youngest son of 51-year-old Buddha Krishna Bag Shrestha—who has continued the festival by piercing his tongue nine times—took over the tradition three years ago and has confirmed he will perform the ritual again this year.

After Krishna Chandra Bag Shrestha pierced his tongue 12 times, his brother Buddha Krishna Bag Shrestha continued the tradition for nine years. For the past three years, Buddha Krishna's youngest son has been carrying on the legacy, and this year marks his fourth consecutive time.

Krishna Chandra Bag Shrestha, who also serves as a festival official (Nayo), stated that this tradition has been ongoing for 400 years and has never been interrupted under any circumstances. Sujan's father, Buddha Krishna, explained that after offering 'char dam' for the festival, the person piercing their tongue must avoid contact with impure individuals, women, those in mourning, or those observing ritual impurity, and must abstain from consuming impure salt or leaving the Bode region.

Having performed the ritual nine times himself, he noted that the individual must observe a fast for three days prior. Sujan shared that watching his father perform the ritual since childhood, accompanied by the cheers of thousands, inspired him. He recalled that during his first time, his excitement and enthusiasm were so great that he did not even feel the pain.

While there was previously a shortage of volunteers, Sujan mentioned that four young men expressed interest this year, though he remains committed to performing the ritual as long as he is able. Sujan said, "I was always with my father when he performed the ritual. Seeing him preserve our art and culture sparked a desire in me. I felt the courage to do it, and seeing the crowd cheering made me want to participate. I will fulfill that desire again this year by piercing my tongue and carrying the Mahadeep around the town of Bode."

Buddha Krishna added, "My son was with me since he was small. We both believe that if this festival is not preserved, the identity of Bode will be lost. That is why he is continuing the tradition this year. To save the culture of Bode, the youth of this town must be ready every year."

According to tradition, on Chaitra 28, the person performing the ritual visits the house of the Naya Pama to offer 'char dam' and 'sagun' to the Naya Pama and other officials to finalize the commitment and begin the ritual fast.

On the day of the festival, the individual prays to various deities in the Bode area for strength before the ritual, which takes place in the premises of the ancient Pancha Ganesh Temple in the presence of thousands of devotees.

After the tongue is pierced, the individual carries a semi-circular 'Mahadeep' (large lamp) around the city of Bode. After circumambulating the Mahalakshmi Temple, the needle is removed, driven into the temple wall, and soil from the temple is applied to the wound. To date, there is a record of 109 years of continuous tongue-piercing by 13 individuals from Bode.