Nepal is not only the land of high peak mountains, lakes, caves, waterfall and so many amazing natural treasures, but also many Gods and Goddess, unique among all of them being the living, breathing Goddess - Kumari Devi, a young pre-pubescent girl.
The custom of worshipping a pre-pubescent girl, who is not a born goddess, as the source of supreme power is an old Hindu-Buddhist tradition that still continues to this days in Nepal.
Selection procedure of the Living Goddess
The choosing process of the Kumari , who is entitled to sit on the pedestal for worship as the living goddess is a huge affair. According to the traditions of Vajrayana sect of Mahayana Buddhism, girls in the age group of 4-7 year, who belong to the Shakya community and have an appropriate horoscope are screened on the basis of their 32 attributes of perfection, including color of eyes, shape of teeth and even voice quality. They are then are taken to meet the deities in a dark room, where terrifying tantrik rituals are performed. The real goddess is one who stays calm and collected throughout these trials. Other hindu-Buddhist rituals that follow finally determine the real kumari.
After the ceremonies, the spirit of the goddess is said to enter her body. She takes on the clothing and jewelry of her predecessor, and is given the title of Kumari Devi, who is worshipped on all religious occasions. She would now live in a place called ‘Kumari Ghar’, at Kathmandu’s Hanumandhoka palace square. It is a beautifully decorated house where the living goddess performs her daily rituals.
Goddess Turns Human
The Kumari’s godhood comes to an end with her first menstruation, because it is believed that on reaching puberty the Kumari turns human. However, if she turns out to be unlucky, even a minor cut or bleeding can render her invalid for worship, and the search for the new goddess has to begin.
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