Kumari, also known as a living goddess, is the tradition of placing a girl child on the throne as an incarnation of the goddess Taleju. Majorly Hindu and Buddhist communities of Kathmandu Valley are following the tradition since the medieval period.

1. Credit:
Prakash Mathema/AFP
Gyan P Neupane
2nd year, MA in South Asian Studies
Pondicherry University (017-018)
Contact: gyanp.neupane@gmail.com

2.  The tradition
 Selection & Qualities
 Rules
 Kumari palace
 Kumari life
 Liberal tradition
 chariot festival
 Existential crisis
 Child abuse?
Points to be discussed:
Via: TripAdvisor

3. The tradition
• A Kumari, or “virgin girl” in Nepali,
• Since the Malla dynasty: The then
three princely-state of Kathmandu
Valley had their own Kumaris,
• worshiped by both Hindus and
Buddhists as an incarnation of the
goddess Taleju,
• Apart from royal Kumaris there
were seprate Kumaris for each
cities in Medival period.

4. Selection &
Qualities
• Should be modest and gentle
• A child has to be beautiful having beautiful
eyes, lips and body
• Character and behavior should be good
• Kumari audition
• During monarchy rule, queen used to select
the Kumari.
• Once she is selected as Kumari she will
remain the same until the day of her first
period.

5. • She rarely goes out to public when she does
her feet should not touch the ground in
order to preserve her godliness.
• She is not allowed to speak to anyone
outside of her family as long as she is a
living goddess.
• The Living Goddess is expected to sit
motionless and expressionless for hours
while being worshipped.
• Demand for home schooling for children
was started in early 2000 and they started
educating the Kumari.
Rules

6. There separate palaces for each Kumari in the
Valley. This house of Kathmandu was build in 1757
by King of Kathmandu Jay Praksah Malla and
renovated in 1966.
Kumari Palace (Kumari Ghar)

7. Credit: Sonia Narang
Former goddess (Patan)
Chanira Bajracharya
Kumari life
1

8. EXAM
TIME
Photo: Reuters
Got school education at Kumari Palace
(2001–2010).
She claims she is the first to get formal
education at palace.
Demand for home schooling for children was
started in early 2000.
Kumari life
2

9. On Duty
The newly
selected
Kumari of
Patan (Unika)
sits on her
throne.
Credits:
STEPHANIE
SINCLAIR
Kumari life
3

10. Having meals
two-year-old
Resuka, the
Kumari of
Kilagal, refuses
her food.
Credits:
STEPHANIE
SINCLAIR
Kumari life
4

11. Jeebika Bajrachrya,
Kumari of Bhaktapur.
A different tradition
She is free to go
school regularly.
 During festive
season only she
supposed to be in
KUMARI GHAR.
Regularly school,
can play with friends,
and be part of any
community gathering
programs.
The traditions is followed since historical period despite that neighbouring
cities believe that Kumari should be kept in with the strict rules which will last
the importance of tradition. Some priests say that due to strict rule Kumari of
Kathmandu has been recognized by the whole country.
1Liberal tradition

12. Nine-year-old
Dangol, Kumari
of Tokha, must
wear red
during in
school the
school.
Her teacher
and fellow
students
adress Dya
Maiju.
Credits: STEPHANIE SINCLAIR
Liberal tradition
2

13. Chariot festival
The royal Kumari of Kathmandu, Matina Shakya, all set to look her
people around the city during an annual festival of Indra Jatra
Credits: STEPHANIE SINCLAIR

14. • Nowadays, only few families are
taking their child for audition
• It poses the historical tradition a
clear threat over its future
existence,
• It seems like fewer and fewer
parents are willing to scarify their
daughters’ carefree childhood as
Goddess.
Existential crisis

15. Child abuse?
• Deprived of asserting their rights.
• The rituals are undoubtedly against the rights of
little children.
• It leaves a huge mental scar that affects their live
forever.
• In 2008 Nepal’s Supreme Court overruled the
decision to end the practice citing its cultural value.
• So far no any former Kumari has spoken against
the tradition. “You’re above a normal child in the
family and whole nation knows you as a Kumari,”
says a former Kumari. “You are living a life as a
princess or a Goddess. What else do you need
then?”