Kumari: The Living Goddess And The Price of Being Divine

Have you heard about Kumari, the Living Goddess of Nepal?

Can you comprehend that the Goddess communicates through her?

Do you believe that the 2015 earthquake was the result of her anger? 

The Encounter

During a tour of Patan, Lalitpur we decided to visit Kumari, the Living Goddess of Nepal. After a twenty- minute wait, we were granted audience. A dark, ancient staircase led us away into a dull, gloomy chamber. 

There, seated on a high throne, was the beautiful girl. Tall, fair, and poised, she was dressed in brilliant red finery and adorned with heavy, ancient jewellery. What grabbed our attention was her forehead – generously smeared with a crimson paste, centered by a large, fierce third eye, reminiscent of the Goddess Durga’s trinayani. Her feet rested on a large, polished bell metal plate.

We watched her in awe. Rigid and solemn, she never returned our gaze. I leaned forward to place the dakshina on the metal plate. It was then she moved, placing her hands on our heads. 

Till that very moment, I was in a dilemma. Should I bow with reverence, or should I stare back with disdain? The very act was contradictory. I had never attended a Kumari Pujan in India, as there is little respect for women outside the ritual.

The confusion cleared instantly as her hands rested on my head. A tremendous pressure bore down, driving away every dissenting thought from my cluttered mind and replacing it with a calmness I had never before experienced. Slowly, she lifted her hands, the pressure eased and I sat there, suspended in a trance-like state. My mother, beside me, was equally bewildered. That afternoon, we came home feeling much lighter than before. 

The Divine Origin

This was our experience with the Kumari of Lalitpur, Nihira Bjracharya. This young Newari girl, worshipped across Nepal, assumed the sacred role in 2018 when she was only five. The name Kumari is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Kaumarya,’ signifying virginity.

This ancient tradition is deeply rooted in history. The Kumari, chosen exclusively from the Newari or Buddhist communities, is believed to be the living vessel of Devi Taleju Bhawani, an avatar of Durga and the kuldevi of the Malla dynasty.  She retains the title of Living Goddess until puberty or any form of blood loss, which signifies the departure of the divine spirit. 

Stories about the Devi abound, but one legend explains the tradition. It is said that every night, King Jayaprakash Malla and Devi Taleju Bhawani (his secret counsellor) would meet privately to play dice. The goddess played on the condition that their meetings remain strictly secret.

Consumed by suspicion, one night the queen secretly followed the king and discovered the goddess. Angered, Devi Taleju immediately vanished. The distraught king pleaded for her return. She appeared in his dreams, giving a clear command – she would return only as a young virgin girl.  Following this command, the Kumari tradition – the worship of the Living Goddess – began in 1757 AD. 

Selection and Strict Criteria

On September 30, 2025, two-year-old Aryatara Shakya was selected as the new Kumari of Nepal. Not just anyone is chosen. The stringent selection process, overseen by a panel of five priests, requires the candidate to be a virgin from a Buddhist Newar family, possessing a calm demeanour, no diseases, and an unblemished body. In total, a girl must fulfil 32 criteria for consideration.

After the physical validation, the crucial next round takes place on Amavasya (no-moon night). At the Taleju temple, 108 buffaloes are sacrificed. The severed, bloody heads are then displayed, while masked dancers begin a frenzied performance. This terrifying environment tests the candidates. Any girl who shows the slightest fear is immediately disqualified.

The ultimate test requires the girl to spend the entire night alone in the dark room with the severed heads. If she remains unfazed, she passes the test. One of the crucial rounds involves her to locate the personal belongings of the previous Kumari. If successful, she is confirmed as the next successor. 

Then comes the stage of farewell. The Kumari must leave her family, home, and friends. She moves to the Kumari Ghar, where her life becomes highly structured, managed by specially selected caretakers, ritual mates, and tutors for her education.

Her life is governed by stringent rules. To prevent injury or blood loss, she is forbidden to walk or wear shoes, and must be carried everywhere. Her contact is severely restricted. she is not allowed to play outside and can only speak with her family and assigned caretakers.

The Kumari leaves the Ghar only for special occasions. She is ceremoniously carried out and placed into a gilded palanquin. Throngs of devotees line the streets, anxious to catch a glimpse of the blessed girl as it is widely believed that a mere glimpse of the Kumari bestows good luck and blessings.

The Goddess’s Wrath: Omens and Consequences 

Local beliefs regarding the Kumari run deep. Since the Goddess communicates through the girl’s smallest actions, every behaviour is a series of omens. For instance, loud crying or laughter predicts severe illness or death; picking at food offerings denotes famine, rubbing her eyes or weeping is a sign of imminent death, and trembling predicts war or unrest.

Major historical events are often thought to be the direct consequences of the Kumari’s displeasure.

• 1955: King Tribhuvan died six months after the Kumari reportedly denied him tika 
• 1971: King Mahendra passed away in the year he failed to offer proper respects to her.
• 1990: King Birendra was forced to relinquish absolute power when the Kumari’s hair failed to tie into a proper knot. 
• 2001: The infamous royal massacre occurred in the same year the Kumari broke out in sudden rashes.
• 2015 earthquake was attributed to her wrath following a controversial art exhibit. While the 7.8 magnitude quake destroyed surrounding buildings, the Kumari Ghar miraculously remained intact.

The Kumari is widely revered and feared, but her reign is temporary. The first menstrual cycle or the tiniest loss of blood from any injury means immediate dethronement. This intimate connection with blood has given rise to a unique healing belief.  Devotees visit her seeking relief from blood-related problems, such as haemorrhaging, severe menstrual issues, persistent coughing up of blood and miscarriages.

Dethronement and Transition 

Transitioning back to an ordinary life is challenging after years of isolation. Imagine walking in public and interacting beyond a select circle! Imagine facing a world they have never experienced. This difficult return is worsened by a prevailing superstition: any man who weds a former Kumari is believed not to live long.

This ancient practice has drawn criticism from global human rights groups citing gross violations by isolating a child and denying a normal upbringing. However, times are changing, and the tradition is evolving.  Modern reforms are in vogue to ease their transition back into society.

Private tutors are now appointed, ensuring they do not fall behind on their education and can be successfully mainstreamed. A modest pension is also provided to offer financial support as they build a new, independent life.

Despite complex debate, the Kumari’s impact on her community is undeniable. Stories of her miracles and blessings abound, sustaining the deeply held belief that these girls are truly blessed embodiments of the divine.

Sources of Images: New Kumari by Bipin Sthapit, The Living Goddess Kumari of Yela (Patan) DhanKumari, Yaju Franney

By Sreemati Sen

Sreemati Sen holds a Masters in Social Work from Shantiniketan. A Development Professional,
she has specialized in Psychiatric Care of Differently-abled children. Years of experience in
Social and Consumer Research are also a part of her portfolio. Her stories have been featured in
various anthologies.

She can be contacted at Sreemati123p@gmail.com.