Bode Jatra
Across the highway from Thimi is the village of Bode, which has its own new year procession and another ceremony, a tongue boring at the temple of the Goddess Mahalaxmi (Goddess of wealth). A volunteer, who has a undergone a four-day cleansing ceremony, offers himself to the temple, pujari (priest), who holds the man’s extended tongue with a piece of cloth. The priest thrusts a long, spikelike needle through the penitent’s tongue, and the man walks about the village so that all may witness the penance. Bleeding is considered an ill omen; a bloodless penance is seen as evidence of great merit.
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