Sujan Bag Shrestha of Bhaktapur is to get his tongue pierced this time during the Biska, the cultural festival which is celebrated exclusively in Bode of Madhyapur Thimi Municipality in Bhaktapur.
The 27-year-old is the youngest son of local Budhha Krishna Bag Shrestha who has already pierced his tongue for the ninth time during the Biska festival. The tongue-piercing ritual which is obviously challenging remains one of the major attractions of Biksa and it is observed on the second day of the Nepali New Year. Buddha Krishna first got his tongue pierced in 2062 BS and continued it for the next three consecutive years. In 2066 BS, he announced to take a break from observing the ritual and he was succeeded by Jujubhai Bans Shrestha who did it till 2072 BS. In 2073 BS, he expressed his inability to carry on the ritual as members of his family were ill and Buddha Krishna rejoined the tradition. This time, his youngest son has announced to give continuity to the tradition. Bode's tongue piercing ceremony carries a 106-year-old history and so far 12 people have made it possible. Traditionally, the person to pierce the tongue during the Biska shall be a male with the Shrestha surname.
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