Nepal's Ancient Kumari Tradition: Two-Year-Old Aryatara Shakya Becomes New Living Goddess During Dashain Festival

A two-year-old selected as Nepal's new living goddess was escorted by family members from their residence in a Kathmandu alley to a temple palace on Tuesday during Nepal's most important Hindu festival.

Aryatara Shakya, aged 2 years and 8 months, has been appointed as the new Kumari or "virgin goddess," replacing the previous incumbent who, according to tradition, returns to mortal status upon reaching puberty.

Both Hindus and Buddhists worship living goddesses. The selection process requires girls between ages 2 and 4 who possess flawless skin, hair, eyes, and teeth. Additionally, candidates must not fear darkness.

During religious celebrations, the living goddess is transported on a chariot pulled by devoted followers. These goddesses consistently wear red attire, arrange their hair in topknots, and display a painted "third eye" on their foreheads.

On Tuesday, family, friends, and devotees accompanied Shakya through Kathmandu's streets before entering the temple palace that will serve as her home for several years.

Devotees lined up to touch the girl's feet with their foreheads—the highest form of respect in Nepal's Hindu tradition—while presenting flowers and monetary offerings. The new Kumari will bestow blessings upon devotees, including the president, on Thursday.

"Yesterday she was merely my daughter, but today she is a goddess," stated her father, Ananta Shakya.

He revealed there were premonitions of her divine status before birth: "During pregnancy, my wife dreamed she was a goddess, and we knew our daughter would be someone extraordinary."

The former Kumari, Trishna Shakya, now 11 years old, departed through a back entrance on a palanquin carried by family and supporters. She had served as the living goddess since 2017.

Tuesday marks the eighth day of Dashain, a 15-day festival celebrating good's triumph over evil. Offices and schools close as people celebrate with their families.

Kumaris live isolated lives with limited playmates and are permitted outside only for select festivals each year.

Former Kumaris often struggle with adjusting to normal life, learning household tasks, and attending regular schools. Nepalese folklore suggests men who marry former Kumaris face premature death, resulting in many remaining unmarried.

Recent years have brought significant changes to the tradition. Kumaris now receive education from private tutors within the temple palace and may have television access. Additionally, the government provides retired Kumaris with a modest monthly pension.