Living Goddess - the Kumari Tradition in Nepal
In Hinduism and Buddhism only one person is revered as a living deity and that is the Kumari of Kathmandu, Nepal. The Kumari is a young virgin. The Kumari is traditionally selected from a special family line residing in Nepal.
She is selected for various traits and qualities and once selected she remains the highly venerated Kumari until she reaches adolescence. At that time a new Kumari is selected. This is a photo of the current Kumari who is 3 years old. She was installed in 2017.
The role of the Kumari is a dubious honor. She must leave her family at a young age and has little contact with them during her tenure. She is highly protected because she cannot shed one drop of blood or she is reduced to human status and no longer qualified to be worshipped as a deity.
She lives isolated in Kumari Chowk in the Durbar Square complex of Kathmandu. She is only permitted to leave her "palace" for special functions. She can be briefly seen daily from her window at the palace.
In the past, the Kumari had little education and little socialization except with her immediate attendants. When she left her position as a teenager she was sorely disadvantaged. With no education and little experience of the outside world she suffered greatly. Also, due to her past role, few men would consider her for marriage. Due to intervention of the media and social welfare groups, the Kumari is now educated and is allowed access to the internet and some familiarity with the outside world. I did not see her on my visit but here are some photos of her residence.
She is selected for various traits and qualities and once selected she remains the highly venerated Kumari until she reaches adolescence. At that time a new Kumari is selected. This is a photo of the current Kumari who is 3 years old. She was installed in 2017.
The role of the Kumari is a dubious honor. She must leave her family at a young age and has little contact with them during her tenure. She is highly protected because she cannot shed one drop of blood or she is reduced to human status and no longer qualified to be worshipped as a deity.
She lives isolated in Kumari Chowk in the Durbar Square complex of Kathmandu. She is only permitted to leave her "palace" for special functions. She can be briefly seen daily from her window at the palace.
In the past, the Kumari had little education and little socialization except with her immediate attendants. When she left her position as a teenager she was sorely disadvantaged. With no education and little experience of the outside world she suffered greatly. Also, due to her past role, few men would consider her for marriage. Due to intervention of the media and social welfare groups, the Kumari is now educated and is allowed access to the internet and some familiarity with the outside world. I did not see her on my visit but here are some photos of her residence.
Notice the sign forbidding photo taking of the Kumari. The building is shored up due to damage from the 2015 earthquake that rocked the Durbar Square area.
Courtyard with one tulsi plant. Probably the only natural thing she sees from her window.
A young Nepali girl poses at the entrance of the Kumari palace building. Again notice the beams shoring up the earthquake damaged building.
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