A 2-year-old girl in Nepal has been newly chosen as the 'Kumari,' known as the 'Living Goddess.' 'Kumari,' which means 'virgin' in Nepali, is chosen from girls between the ages of 2 and 4 who have not yet reached puberty.
According to reports from the New York Post and AP on the 30th (local time), a 32-month-old girl named Aryatara Shaka has been selected as the new Kumari.
The Kumari is an entity worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists and is chosen from the Shakya family within the indigenous Newar community in the Kathmandu Valley.
To be selected, the Kumari must have flawless skin, hair, eyes, and teeth and must not fear the dark. Nepali people believe that when the Kumari reaches puberty, she returns to being an ordinary woman.
Aryatara, the new Kumari, was paraded through the streets of Kathmandu with her family and supporters before entering the temple palace. Devotees presented flowers and money and also paid their respects by touching their foreheads to Aryatara's feet.
Aryatara is scheduled to give her first official blessing to devotees, including the President of Nepal, on the 2nd. Her father, Ananta Shakya, stated, "Until yesterday, she was just my daughter. But today, she became a Goddess. My wife dreamed of our child becoming a goddess when she was pregnant. From then on, I felt my daughter was destined for something special.
Once chosen, the Kumari will live a secluded life inside the temple, allowed to interact only with a few designated friends, and are permitted to leave only a few times a year for festivals. Because of this, many former Kumaris struggle with school and social adaptation after retirement.
Furthermore, a popular Nepali superstition believes that any man who marries a former Kumari will die young, which leads to many ex-Kumaris remain unmarried. However, recent changes to the tradition include the Kumari receiving education from private tutors and receiving a government pension of about 150,000 KRW per month from the government after retirement.
-At least things are becoming a little better compared to the past... But why does this culture even exist in the first place?
-That's crazy. 32-months-old babies are still in diapersㅠㅠ
-Hul... This is still a thing? I was really shocked when I watched a documentary about this a long time ago.
-I really feel sorry for her.
-Isn't Nepal the same place where anti-government protests are happening now? Hul... And yet they still keep such practices?
-32 months old... She's the same age as my son.
-Are you seriously excusing child abuse as 'cultural difference'? Get a grip.
-This is terrifying. Only the little girls suffer.
-"Girls between the ages of 2 and 4 who have not yet reached puberty" What does that even mean?
-This is child abuse.
-How long will they keep doing this?ㅡㅡ
-Ah... This is so freaking disgusting. In 2025, really?
-Poor girl......
