Nepal has introduced its newest Kumari, or “living goddess”, during the country’s longest and most significant Hindu festival, Dashain. On Tuesday, two-year-old Aryatara Shakya was carried by her family through the streets of Kathmandu before being installed at the Kumari Ghar, the temple palace where she will reside for several years.
At just 2 years and 8 months old, Aryatara replaces 11-year-old Trishna Shakya, who served as the Kumari since 2017 and, in accordance with tradition, returned to mortal life upon reaching puberty.
The Tradition of the Kumari
The Kumari is worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists as a manifestation of divine female energy. Candidates are chosen between the ages of two and four and must meet strict physical and spiritual criteria, including flawless features and fearlessness.
Living goddesses lead secluded lives, emerging only for religious festivals when they are carried in ornate chariots, dressed in red attire, with their hair pinned in a topknot and a symbolic “third eye” painted on their forehead.
During Tuesday’s procession, devotees lined the streets to receive blessings, bowing to touch Aryatara’s feet with their foreheads—a gesture symbolizing the highest respect in Nepalese culture. She is expected to offer blessings to thousands of followers, including Nepal’s president, later this week.
A Sacred Yet Challenging Role
While the role of Kumari is revered, former goddesses often face difficulties adjusting to ordinary life, with cultural folklore even discouraging marriage. However, in recent years, reforms have allowed Kumaris to receive private education within the temple palace and modest government support once they retire.
Speaking after the installation, Aryatara’s father, Ananta Shakya, expressed awe at the transformation: “She was just my daughter yesterday, but today she is a goddess.” He added that signs of her destiny appeared even before her birth, when his wife dreamed she carried a goddess.
As the nation celebrates Dashain—a 15-day festival marking the triumph of good over evil—Nepalese devotees embrace the arrival of their new living goddess, symbolizing continuity of one of the country’s most unique and enduring traditions.
