Kathmandu: A two-year-old girl has been designated as Nepal’s new living goddess, being carried by family members from their home in an alley in Kathmandu to a temple palace on Tuesday during the country’s longest and most important Hindu festival. Aryatara Shakya, aged 2 years and 8 months, has been chosen as the new Kumari or “virgin goddess,” succeeding the current living goddess who, according to tradition, is considered to become an ordinary human upon reaching puberty. Living goddesses are venerated by both Hindus and Buddhists. The selection occurs for girls aged between 2 and 4, who must have flawless skin, hair, eyes, and teeth, and must not show fear of the dark.
During religious celebrations, the living goddess is transported on a chariot pulled by devotees. She is always dressed in red, wears her hair in topknots, and has a painted “third eye” on her forehead.
