Kathmandu, Sep 30 (AP) – Aryatara Shakya, a girl just two years and eight months old, was recently chosen as Nepal's new living goddess, known as the Kumari, during the country's most significant Hindu festival. On Tuesday, she was carried by family members from their Kathmandu home to the temple palace that will be her residence for several years. Living goddesses hold reverence among both Hindus and Buddhists in Nepal, chosen at a young age for their unblemished attributes and fearless nature. These young goddesses appear publicly during festivals, dressed in red with their hair in topknots, and a "third eye" painted on their foreheads. As Aryatara was paraded through Kathmandu, devotees queued to touch her feet with their foreheads, the highest form of respect in the nation. The new Kumari will also bestow blessings on officials, including the president, on Thursday. Her father, Ananta Shakya, reflected on the transformation from daughter to goddess, citing dreams foreseen by his wife during pregnancy. The outgoing Kumari, Trishna Shakya, who served from 2017 to now as an 11-year-old, departed modestly by a rear exit. Her tenure as Kumari concluded as she approached puberty, which traditionally returns these revered individuals to mortality. The events are part of Dashain, a 15-day festival marking good's triumph over evil, a time when normal activities pause as families celebrate together. Living as a Kumari involves a secluded lifestyle, with limited outings and strictly selected playmates. Post-tenure, former Kumaris often face challenges integrating into everyday life, from household chores to attending school. Myths suggesting ill-fated marriages dissuade suitors, leaving many former goddesses unmarried. Despite this, modern adaptations allow Kumaris access to private education within the temple palace and even technology like television. The state now provides a modest pension for retired Kumaris, acknowledging their unique life path. (AP) MPL MPL
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