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Nepal 'living goddess' loses status
By BINAJ GURUBACHARYA Associated Press Writer
Article Launched: 07/03/2007 04:14:24 AM PDT

KATMANDU, Nepal—A 10-year-old Nepalese girl was stripped of her title
as a living goddess because she traveled overseas to promote a documentary
about the centuries-old tradition, an official said Tuesday.
Sajani Shakya had her status revoked because she broke with tradition
by leaving the country, said Jaiprasad Regmi, chief of the government
trust which manages the affairs of the living goddesses.

Sajani is among several "Kumaris," or living goddesses, in Nepal, but as
one of the kingdom's top three, is forbidden from leaving the country.

However, last month she left Nepal for the United States and other
countries to promote a British documentary about the living goddesses
of the Katmandu Valley. Sajani is to return to Nepal later this week.
"We have begun the process to search for a new Kumari," said Regmi,
adding that a task force would be responsible for determining suitable
candidates.
Living goddesses are worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists.
The girls are selected between the ages of 2 and 4 after going
through several tests.
They are required to have perfect skin, hair, eyes and teeth,
they shouldn't have scars or wounds, and shouldn't be afraid of
the dark. They always wear red, pin up their hair in topknots and
a "third eye" is painted on their forehead.
Devotees touch the girls' feet with their foreheads, the highest
sign of respect among Hindus in Nepal.
During religious festivals the girls are
wheeled around on a chariot pulled by devotees. Living goddesses usually keep their title until their first menstruation.
The main Kumari lives a sequestered life in a palatial temple in the capital, Katmandu. She has a few selected playmates and is allowed outside only a few times a year for festivals.

Others like Sajani are allowed to stay at home, attend regular school and take part in festivals.

The government last year announced a monthly pension of $40 for serving and retired Kumaris. Previously, the main Kumari received only a gold coin during an annual festival and the other girls received whatever was offered by devotees.

Nepalese folklore holds that men who marry a former Kumari will die young, and so many girls remain unmarried and face a life of hardship.

Critics have said the tradition violates both international and Nepalese laws on child rights.

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one more cultural casualty ....

Its not a cultural casualty. There are rules and regulations you have to follow as a KUMARI. And if you don't then you are no Kumari anymore(they get a new one). I have even heard of Kumaris forced to leave when they even get a cut in any part of their body cause it is believed that cuts can make it hard for spirits to enter and exit the Kumari's body. I know from a western perpective it sounds like hocus pocus. BUT THAT IS OUR CULTURE(AND I DON"T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT WHAT OTHERS THINK) . Just like Catholic Padres indulge in Hetrosexual activities they get canned.

SO Rascal you need to know what up before you jump to conclusions.

I agree. Traditions and customs must be preserved. Kumari cannot leave Kumari Ghar unless it is the festival that requires them to. And my friend, do not talk about child labor violations; there are enough around the world to worry about than this one.

it is what it is ... if u are selected to lead the whole nation .. one has to be accountable regardless of right or wrong situation ... rule is rule ..

exactly Coffee
by no means a cultural tragedy..
whats the use of keeping a KUMARI when there are no rules or rules violated without consequence

YAY!!!!!!!!!! she is free!!!!!!!!!!!

what kind of religion is this? where got living goddess.........................???

this must be biggest hoax of the century................

Yo ta Ati bho ba Nepal ma Huda huda aba Bhagwan ko pani kurshi tane bhaisakyo

yo ta atti bho aba murti bhagwan matra america gayo bhaneko ta aba ta jiundo god pani America jana thalyo. Sabai america ko pachhi lagna thalyo

It is funny. Tradition and customs must be preserved but at whose expense? Don't forget that these little girls have no choice in this. You think a 4 year old child's path in life (and it is not a happy path hearing stories about post-Kumari life) should be determined to satisfy your old traditions and values? It isn't fair.

Lot of things aren't fair in Life..

Life is full of compromise .None of the culture and religion of this world is perfect. If there is show me one ! Ask yourself are you fair ?

totally agree with republican even though i m a democrat

Well first, while i was reading the article i assumed kumari to be ex-kumari , if it is indeed a ex kumari i don't think that fair to put restrictions on her movement. But if it is the present kumari then i respect the decision although it is tough.

Kumari, no doubt have no choice in being kumari. She is a little chid who does not know anything. But as a token of her hardship, she is bestowed with the title of living godess- the Kumari. With title comes the responsibility. And as the matter of tradition is concern, it is the tradition that made us who we are.

It certainly is not good for kumari to loose her title, But i had to say, the judgement is unbiased. America is no place for Living Godesses.

If kumari comes to america, there would be no need for americans(foreigners) to come to nepal any more. We are loosing tourist. (just a thought)

lets talk about what's not fair?

A kumari is compenstated for the service to country just like any other service for certain duration of her period .
She is allowed education but yes for certain period of her childhood would be in the service .

Even after that she is compensated as ex-kumari.how many people in Nepal earns as much as ex-kumari?Lets talk number here, percentage with respect to Nepal .Yes , the figure of $40 might seem less to few but with respect to nepal that is her pension.it is not like she is imprisioned for rest of her life!!

Also,Now it is not taboo to marry ex-kumari , slowly we are moving towards modernization.

Culture are hard that is why it is hard to preserve and thats why it is culture!!Otherwise what is culture ?If dancing in the pub is culture then it is easy but is that the culture which distinguishes nepal and nepali with respect to the world???

It doesn't matter how much she is compensated. My issue is the confinement of a child to serve somebody's idea of a culture.

Anita Shakya (1978-1984) is an ex-Kumari. Read this:

She struggled in school and still feels uncomfortable in public or around other people, even her extended family. Solitude and silence, states of existence she grew accustomed to in the Kumari Ghar, are still the ones she prefers today.


Once a Kumari reaches puberty, she's thrown out into the world with $40 a month. She's asked to live a different life to the one she's known since she was a little child. At age 12-13, she has to go to school with 6-7 year olds.

There are positives and negatives in every culture. This is definitely a negative one. Don't use a little child to satisfy your false sense of culture and nationalism.

IT IS WHAT IT IS!!!!
MAY BE UNFAIR FOR YOU MAY BE FAIR FOR MILLIONS!!!

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once upon a time, human sacrifice was culturally acceptable too

Well said, chef. Human rights violations in the name of culture should be abolished. I would have no problem if the Kumari was chosen at say age 16 and she knew what she was getting into.

And ImI, you should've been born in the Roman era when throwing people to the lions was culturally acceptable. Would've been unfair to you but immensely enjoyable to us spectators :)