BHAKTAPUR, March 30: Buddha Krishna Bagha Shrestha has come forward this year to get his tongue pierced to give continuity to this time-honoured tradition that is indigenous to Bode, Madhyapur Thimi.
The 45-year-old Buddha Krishna came forward to rescue the tradition after it appeared that the annual tongue-piercing ritual itself was on the verge of stopping for the person who had been continuing this tradition, Jujubhai Basa Shrestha, over the years expressed his desire not to observe the ritual this time.
Ties of tradition
Buddha Krishna has already had his tongue pierced four times before this between 2062 Bs to 2065 BS as part of this tradition. He had announced that he was not going to observe this ritual of tongue-piercing from 2066 BS after his wife underwent delivery.
Jujubhai had stepped in after that and had been observing the ritual for the last eight years. He wanted to discontinue this time as his wife and older sister-in-law are ill and he has to take care of them.
Buddha Krishna said he volunteered to have his tongue pierced for the sake of rescuing this unique ritual that is observed for ages in his locality.
As per the tradition, only a male person belonging to the Shrestha lineage and native of Bode is required to get his tongue pierced as part of the tongue-piercing ritual that is observed in Bode about this time every year. It is considered an expensive ritual for the person as he is required to organise the community feast himself bearing all the expenses.
Although the Madhyapur Thimi Municipality and the Guthi Sansthan under the Ministry of Culture are providing some financial support to the tongue-piercing festival, it is inadequate. RSS
