Post by : Rameen Ariff

Kathmandu, Nepal – In a remarkable ceremony during Nepal’s longest and most celebrated Hindu festival, a two-year-old girl, Aryatara Shakya, has been selected as the country’s new Kumari, or “living goddess.” She succeeds the former Kumari, who, by tradition, becomes a mortal upon reaching puberty.

Aryatara, aged 2 years and 8 months, was carried by her family from their home through the streets of Kathmandu to the temple palace, where she will reside for several years. During the procession, devotees lined the streets, offering flowers, money, and touching her feet with their foreheads, a gesture of the highest respect in Hindu culture.

The Kumari tradition, followed by both Hindus and Buddhists in Nepal, requires girls to be selected between ages two and four. They must have unblemished skin, perfect hair, clear eyes, and teeth, and must not fear the dark. During festivals, the living goddess is paraded on a chariot pulled by devotees, wearing red robes, hair tied in a topknot, and a “third eye” painted on her forehead.

Aryatara’s father, Ananta Shakya, expressed his pride, saying, “She was just my daughter yesterday, but today she is a goddess.” He also shared that even before her birth, there were signs she would become a Kumari.

The former Kumari, Trishna Shakya, now 11, stepped down from her role which she had held since 2017. Life as a Kumari is highly secluded; they have few playmates and are allowed outside only for major religious festivals. Former Kumaris often face challenges adjusting to normal life, including attending school and household responsibilities.

In recent years, traditions have been modified to support Kumaris. They can now receive education through private tutors inside the temple palace, watch television, and retired Kumaris receive a government pension.

The selection of Aryatara Shakya comes on the eighth day of Dashain, Nepal’s 15-day festival celebrating the victory of good over evil, during which offices and schools are closed nationwide.

This centuries-old tradition continues to captivate devotees worldwide, symbolizing Nepal’s rich cultural and religious heritage.

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