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The traditional Yenya Punhi Mye Pwa Khnegu Jatra, the tongue-piercing festival observed on Sunday evening in Madhyapur Thimi on the occasion of Ashwin Shukla Purnima, made a trip to the Bhaktapur city for the first time in the history of this festival.

The observers of the festival made a circumambulation of the city after paying a homage to the deities in Dattatraya and Nawadurga.

The circumambulation was conducted on the wish of the tongue-piercer Birendrabhakta Gaju Shrestha. As in the previous years, Birendrabhakta Gaju Shrestha, a cultural enthusiast from Balkumari, Madhyapur Thimi-4, pierced his tongue to continue the age-old ritual.

Last year, Shrestha visited the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu after piercing his tongue, while this year, he will visit Bhaktapur’s Dattatreya and Navadurga temples before circumambulating the city.

Unlike the Bode festival, where only one person pierces the tongue following a fixed circumambulation route, the Thimi festival allows more than one participant, and the procession route is not predetermined.

Shrestha pierced his tongue in front of the Digu Bhairav Temple, carried a large wooden and bamboo oil lamp on his shoulders, and circumambulated the city while following traditional routes and rituals.

The procession passed through various cultural and religious sites, including Thasma Ganesh, Balkumari Shankhadhar Chowk, Barahi, Sallaghari, Siddhapokhari, Durbar Square, Sukuldhoka, Dattatreya Temple, Navadurga Dyoche, Taumadhi, Nyatapola Temple, Bhimsen Chowk, and other locations before concluding at Balkumari.

Shrestha first pierced his tongue in 2017 to revive the declining festival.

He has since repeated the ritual in 2022 and 2023. “Madhyapur Thimi is a living repository of art and culture. By continuing this tradition, I want to preserve and promote Thimi’s identity to the world,” he said, explaining that his choice of temples to visit reflects his personal devotion.

A large number of Gen Z youths have gathered at Maitighar Mandalar to protest against corruption and ban on social media

Most of the students, who came to take part in the protest, are in college uniforms.

They sang various patriotic songs during the demonstration.

Protesters were seen carrying placards reading: “Our future is not for sale; We are social media lover; No to corruption and Stop bribes, save lives” among others  

Security has been tightened at Maitighar Mandala to prevent untoward incidents.

The low-pressure trough of the monsoon is currently located in the south of its average position, resulting in the generally cloudy weather in the country's hilly region and partly cloudy in the remaining areas today, the Meteorological Forecasting Division stated.

Moderate rainfall is likely at some places of the hilly region and few places of Tarai today. 

Likewise, heavy rainfall is likely in the hilly region of Koshi and Bagmati Provinces, according to the Division. 

The weather will remain generally cloudy in Koshi and Madhes Provinces and the hilly region of Bagmati Province.

Tonight, the weather will continue to remain generally cloudy in Koshi and Madesh Provinces along with the hilly regions of the country. 

Moderate rain is likely to occur at some places of Koshi Province along with the hills in Bagmati Province. 

There are chances of heavy rainfall at one or two places in the Tarai region of Koshi Province, the Division stated.

This year's Sohra Shraddha, also known as Pitri Paksha, has begun from today.

As stated in the calendar approved by the Nepal Calendar Determination Development Committee, the Shraddha of the Pratipada should be performed today. The Pindadan (offerings) of the Pratipada should be completed by this afternoon, Member of Committee Prof Dr Devmani Bhattarai said.. 

It is a 16-lunar day period when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors, especially through food offerings. 

The day begins from the full moon day of Bhadra, according to the lunar calendar. 

Hindu people throng the temples to perform Shraddha, the annual death rituals, in Sohra Shraddha.

According to Hindu mythology, the souls of three preceding generations of one's ancestors reside in Pitri–loka, a realm between heaven and earth. 

The performance of Shraddha by a son during Priti Paksha is regarded as compulsory by Hindus, to ensure that the soul of the ancestor goes to heaven. 

In the Kathmandu Valley, Hindu devotees visit Pashupatinath Temple and perform rites in the name of their ancestors.