new years in Nepal a time for
celebration and for piety Hinduism is
the main religion here and at this time
of year the devout fill the streets
where they asked for good fortune in the
new year and the men endure elaborate
tests of strength and endurance but the
village of bow day demonstrates its
religious devotion unlike any other
there just one man will stand before the
gods and undergo a painful trial his
name is Krishna Chandra and with
thousands watching he will allow a spike
to be born into his tongue if his tongue
does not bleed it is believed that gods
will grant his village prosperity in the
year ahead
in Nepal the new year starts in April
when fields have just been planted and
people are praying for a good harvest in
BO day that prayer comes in the form of
a sacrifice according to legend the
village of bow day began it’s unusual
ceremony
four centuries ago to mark the end of a
very dark time a forest demon had been
terrorizing the town when the villagers
finally caught him they paraded him
through the streets his tongue silenced
by a metal spike ever since bow day has
celebrated the new year by reenacting
the demons fallen its tongue piercing
day Krishna has not eaten in three days
part of the preparation for his ordeal
on his way to the ceremony
Krishna stops to pray at every shrine
and temple everywhere the gods have
visited in the square the crowd begins
to buzz with anticipation ASBO days
mayor takes the stage once on the
platform Krishna is greeted as if he
himself were divine the blade has not
been sterilized there’s no anaesthetic
the priest
Babu Kashi just dabs Krishna’s tongue
with oil to lubricate it
his tongue does not bleed for the 11th
year in a row krishna has passed the
most crucial test but his ordeal has
only just begun
now he must carry a heavy bamboo icon a
symbol of the god Shiva through BOE days
cobbled streets Krishna ends his walk at
the town’s main temple just as he
crosses the threshold
Babu Kashi removes the spite from his
tongue as a lasting testament to krsna’s
and the town’s piety the spike is nailed
to the temple wall Krishna is for you to
head home to break his fast and for the
priests bubble kanji and the rest of the
villagers this painful ritual has once
again
served its purpose
celebration and for piety Hinduism is
the main religion here and at this time
of year the devout fill the streets
where they asked for good fortune in the
new year and the men endure elaborate
tests of strength and endurance but the
village of bow day demonstrates its
religious devotion unlike any other
there just one man will stand before the
gods and undergo a painful trial his
name is Krishna Chandra and with
thousands watching he will allow a spike
to be born into his tongue if his tongue
does not bleed it is believed that gods
will grant his village prosperity in the
year ahead
in Nepal the new year starts in April
when fields have just been planted and
people are praying for a good harvest in
BO day that prayer comes in the form of
a sacrifice according to legend the
village of bow day began it’s unusual
ceremony
four centuries ago to mark the end of a
very dark time a forest demon had been
terrorizing the town when the villagers
finally caught him they paraded him
through the streets his tongue silenced
by a metal spike ever since bow day has
celebrated the new year by reenacting
the demons fallen its tongue piercing
day Krishna has not eaten in three days
part of the preparation for his ordeal
on his way to the ceremony
Krishna stops to pray at every shrine
and temple everywhere the gods have
visited in the square the crowd begins
to buzz with anticipation ASBO days
mayor takes the stage once on the
platform Krishna is greeted as if he
himself were divine the blade has not
been sterilized there’s no anaesthetic
the priest
Babu Kashi just dabs Krishna’s tongue
with oil to lubricate it
his tongue does not bleed for the 11th
year in a row krishna has passed the
most crucial test but his ordeal has
only just begun
now he must carry a heavy bamboo icon a
symbol of the god Shiva through BOE days
cobbled streets Krishna ends his walk at
the town’s main temple just as he
crosses the threshold
Babu Kashi removes the spite from his
tongue as a lasting testament to krsna’s
and the town’s piety the spike is nailed
to the temple wall Krishna is for you to
head home to break his fast and for the
priests bubble kanji and the rest of the
villagers this painful ritual has once
again
served its purpose
Please follow and like us: