Visit Nepal – Kumari In Nepal The Living Goddess

The term ‘Kumari’ is a Sanskrit word meaning ‘young prepubescent girl’. A young Newar girl is presented as the “Living Goddess” known for the popular tradition of the Newars, the original inhabitants of Kathmandu Valley. Nepal Kumari goddess is believed to be the incarnation of Goddess Taleju.

Kumari is a centuries-old Newari tradition that represents the divine female energy and religious harmony. This culture has its roots rooted in both Hinduism and Buddhism.

The Kumari is chosen from the Newar Shakya clan in Kathmandu Valley.

History of The Nepal Kumari Goddess

The tradition of Nepal Kumari goddess in Nepal probably began in the Malla period in the 17th century, particularly by the last king of the Malla dynasty, Jay Prakash Malla.

There are a couple of legends that hint at the origin of Kumari culture. In due course, Shah King firmly followed the tradition of receiving blessings from her.

According to the first legend, Goddess Taleju, in human form, would come to the chamber of King Jay Prakash Malla in the palace and play a game called Tripasa with him. The Goddess was there to help him and to protect the kingdom. She was there to see only the king.

Once, the wife of the king came to the chamber to see who the king was sitting in her absence and saw the Goddess Taleju. Being angry, the Goddess disappeared. Later, she said to the king that if he wanted her to protect the country, he should search for her in the Newar Shakya community.

The second legend is quite unclear, whether it is about Jay Prakash Malla or someone else. As the Goddess and the king were playing Tripasa together, the king showed a kind of lusty behaviour toward the Goddess. The furious Goddess is then believed to have disappeared.

The three cities in the Kathmandu Valley were originally the land of Newars. Considering these three cities as different kingdoms, they created ‘Kumari’ for each.

The Kumari of Patan and the Kumari of Bhaktapur are important Kumari(s) beside the Royal Kumari of Kathmandu, who is the most senior and famous all over the world.

Trishna Shakya, a 3-year-old girl, is the latest Nepal Kumari goddess of Kathmandu since 28 September 2017.

How Long Does She Become Kumari?

Once she is appointed as ‘Kumari’ after the strict selection, the spirit of the Goddess Taleju is believed to have been instilled in her body. She does not go out of her residence except on the occasional ceremonies. She remains a goddess until she has her first menstruation.

The moment she enters puberty or gets into her first monthly period, the Goddess of Taleju is believed to leave her body. Any kind of serious illness or injury can also affect the continuation of Kumari. The spirit of the Goddess is believed to leave the girl’s body, making her ineligible to remain in the title.

How Is Kumari Living Goddess Selected?

The moment the existing Nepal living goddess Kumari becomes ineligible, the search for a new Kumari begins. There are some criteria that candidates need to meet to be the Nepal living goddess Kumari.

Some of the basic criteria are given below:

• Body like a banyan tree
• Eye like a deer
• Having eyelashes like a cow
• Twenty healthy teeth
• Black hair/eyes
• 3 to 5 years healthy girl from Shakya family of Newar community of Kathmandu valley

Ensuring the basic physical qualities, the girl is taken to the courtyard of Taleju temple, where she has to spend a night among the slaughtered heads of buffaloes and goats and masked men (Lakhya) without any sign of fear.

If she passes all these strict tests. She is taken for ritual cleansing of her past life and embellished with Kumari clothes, jewellery, and ornaments. And then she is put in the new house, “Kumari Ghar”. But nowadays, the modern Kumari lives with the family.

Life as a Kumari

A young girl from the Shakya clan, after being chosen as a living goddess, is moved to Kumari Ghar and lives there until she is replaced. She is decorated in traditional red clothing, traditional ornaments and a tika (a symbolic red mark on her forehead).

During her tenure, she is not allowed to touch the ground with her feet outside her residence. Anyone who visits her, she blesses them. It is believed that even a glance or touch brings great fortune.

During major festivals like Indra Jatra, Kumari is carried around Kathmandu Valley in a chariot procession.

Kumari receives their early education in the Kumari Ghar itself, respecting their rights as children.

Superstition Prevailed In Kumari Tradition

After Kumari becomes ineligible due to menstruation or any illness. Then she becomes an ordinary child and is probably sent with her parents.

In the past, the former Kumari was not supposed to get married. They have the superstitious belief that the man will die soon.

However, the modern former Kumaris have been living an ordinary life like any other girl in society. They get married and have children as well.

Likewise, Kumaris are believed to be an emotionless Goddess. They are supposed to be calm and composed and not showcase any emotions. A Kumari showing any emotions indicates that she is no longer eligible to be Kumari and is a sign of upcoming calamity.

What Was The 2007 Kumari Issue?

In 2007, there was a scandal regarding the then Kumari and her visit to the USA. Sajani Shakya, the Kumari of Bhaktapur, visited the US to attend the program to release a documentary.

The elder council of the Newar community removed her from the title, claiming it was a violation of the living goddess Kumari of Kathmandu tradition. Since the day of her appointment, she is not supposed to put her feet on the ground outside of her residence.

However, the public protests forced the authorities to reinstate her with a re-cleansing ceremony. Eventually, she was reinstated as Kumari by the Kumari Council, acknowledging that her travel didn’t harm her status as the “Living Goddess of Nepal”.