Jujubhai pierces his tongue for 7th time

KATHMANDU, April 15: Jujubhai Basan Shrestha of Bode village in Bhaktapur pierced his tongue for seventh consecutive time during the Bisket Jatra on Wednesday.

The tradition that goes back to the Lichhavi period is that an individual of Bode village pierces his tongue with a 13-inch iron spike to mark occasion. It is also why the festival celebrated by the Newari community in the Valley has been known as the ´tongue-piercing festival´. People of this Newar village have always felt proud of this noble celebration, which draws thousands of people from across the Valley.The festival celebrated to mark triumph over demons and evil is popular in Purano Thimi for the tongue piercing while the chariot procession is more popular in old Bhaktapur.

Jujubhai and all Bode folks believe they have managed to protect their village from natural disasters by continuing their centuries old tradition.

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