TALEJUSQUARE

Controversial Nepal "goddess" returns from U.S. tour

2007-07-19T03:47:00.000-07:00

"Living Goddess" Kumari (C) is garlanded as she arrives in Kathmandu July 18, 2007. The Nepali girl, stripped of her religious title for travelling to the United States allegedly against the tradition, returned to Kathmandu on Wednesday to a colourful family welcome. REUTERS/Gopal Chitrakar

KATHMANDU (Reuters) - A Nepali girl worshipped as a "living goddess", but who may be stripped of her religious title after travelling to the United States, returned to Nepal on Wednesday seemingly unaware of the controversy.

Ten-year-old Sajani Shakya was installed at the age of 2 as the Kumari or "goddess" of the ancient town of Bhaktapur, near the capital Kathmandu, where she was revered by Hindus and Buddhists alike in deeply religious Nepal.
But a recent trip to the United States to promote a British-made documentary exploring Nepal's traditions and its modern development upset local religious leaders who said it was against practice to travel without permission.
However an official of a trust that manages the Kumari's temple in Bhaktapur said on Wednesday a final decision had not been reached on whether she would remain a goddess.
Shakya was greeted at Kathmandu airport by dozens of family members, friends and followers who beat drums and blew brass trumpets to welcome her.
She appeared relaxed and unaware of the controversy.
Her parents, who did not travel with her, presented her Buddhist prayer scarves and marigold garlands and said they were unaware of any ban on the child's foreign travel.
"If we knew it we would not have sent her," her mother, Rukmini Shakya, said.
"We have not been told about her removal either. She has to remain Kumari until a new one is found to replace her."
The British makers of the documentary apologised for the controversy that had been caused.
"She is a normal child and a living goddess. She has both lives," film director Ishbel Whitaker said.
Shakya visited the Capitol, met with Nepalis living in the U.S. and toured a school and met American children.
"It was a lovely opportunity for her," said Whitaker. "It was a great experience when American children told Sajani about their lives and she told them about her life."
During the 39-day trip, Shakya had to maintain what Whitaker said was "food purity" -- a diet of boiled rice, lentils, goat meat and pumpkins.
The Kumari of Bhaktapur is one of several such goddesses in the temple-studded Kathmandu valley, home to 1.5 million people.
Living goddesses are chosen from the Buddhist Shakya family -- the same caste which Lord Buddha himself came from -- and must adhere to certain standards such as being kept in a dark room without crying or not having any blemishes on their skin.
Once selected, the young girls are required to live in temples, blessing devotees until they reach puberty when they return to normal life and are replaced with a new one.
In return, the goddesses get allowances and a monthly pension after retirement.
But some human rights activists say the tradition constitutes child abuse. The Himalayan nation's Supreme Court last year asked the government if the practice violated human rights. Authorities say cultural experts are studying the issue.
(c) Reuters 2007. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by caching, framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.

KRISHANA

2007-07-16T01:36:00.001-07:00

. KrishnaThe great exponent of the Gita, Krishna is the ninth and the most complete avatar of Vishnu, the Godhead of the Hindu Trinity. Of all avatars he is the most popular and perhaps the one closest to the heart of the masses. This blue-skinned deity has influenced the Indian thought, life and culture in myriad ways - not only its religion and philosophy, but also into its mysticism and literature, painting and sculpture, dance and music, and all aspects of Indian folklore.

RamaRama, the perfect avatar of the Supreme Protector Vishnu, is an all-time favorite among Hindu deities. The most popular symbol of chivalry and virtue, Rama is the embodiment of truth, of morality, the ideal son, the ideal husband, and above all, the ideal king." He is widely believed to be an actual historical figure - a "tribal hero of ancient India" - whose exploits form the great Hindu epic of Ramayana or The Romance of Rama.

HanumanHanuman, the mighty ape that aided Lord Rama in his expedition against evil forces, described in the epic Ramayana, is one of the most popular idols in the Hindu pantheon. Believed to be an avatar of Lord Shiva, Hanuman is worshipped as a symbol of physical strength, perseverance and devotion. In times of trouble, it is a common faith among Hindus to chant the name of Hanuman or sing his hymn - "Hanuman Chalisa". Hanuman temples are among the most common public shrines found in India.

VishnuThe peace-loving deity of the Hindu Trinity, Vishnu is the Preserver or Sustainer of life with his steadfast principles of order, righteousness and truth. When these values are under threat, Vishnu emerges out of his transcendence to restore peace and order on earth. Vishnus earthly incarnations have 10 major avatars. The devout followers of Vishnu are called Vaishnavas, and his consort is Lakshmi. Vishnu is popularly worshipped as Lord Venkateshwara in the southern India.

LakshmiGoddess Lakshmi means "Good Luck" to Hindus. The word 'Lakshmi' is derived from the Sanskrit word Laksya, meaning 'aim' or 'goal', and she is the goddess of wealth and prosperity, both material and spiritual. She is the household goddess of most Hindu families, and a favorite of women. Lakshmi is depicted as a beautiful woman of golden complexion, with four hands, sitting or standing on a full-bloomed lotus and holding a lotus bud, which stands for beauty, purity and fertility.

DurgaThe Mother Goddess known variously as Durga, Bhavani, Sherawali, Amba, Chandika, Gauri, Parvati, Vaishno Devi represents the fiery powers of the gods. The name Durga means inaccessible, and she is the personification of the active side of the divine shakti energy of Lord Shiva. Durga is usually portrayed as riding a lion, and carrying weapons in her many arms. She is the protector of the righteous, and destroyer of the evil.

KaliKali, or the dark goddess, is the fearful and ferocious form of the mother goddess Durga. She is depicted as having born from the brow of Goddess Durga during one of her battles with the evil forces. Kali is represented with perhaps the fiercest features amongst all the world's deities. Her tongue protrudes from her mouth, her eyes are red, and her face and breasts are sullied with blood. She stands with one foot on the thigh, and another on the chest of her husband, Shiva.

SaraswatiSaraswati, the goddess of knowledge and learning, represents the free flow of wisdom and consciousness. She is the mother of the Vedas, and chants to her, called the 'Saraswati Vandana' often begin and end Vedic lessons. The goddess of wisdom, art and music, she is the daughter of Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga. It is believed that goddess Saraswati endows human beings with the powers of speech, wisdom and learning.

KRISHANA

2007-07-16T01:36:00.000-07:00

SHIVA

2007-07-16T01:32:00.000-07:00

By The Powers Of Lord Shiva!
Shiva is 'Shakti', Shiva is power, Shiva is the destroyer, the most powerful god of the Hindu pantheon and one of the godheads in the Hindu Trinity. Known by many names - Mahadeva, Mahayogi, Pashupati, Nataraja, Bhairava, Vishwanath, Bhava, Bhole Nath - Lord Shiva is perhaps the most complex of Hindu deities. Hindus recognise this by putting his shrine in the temple separate from those of other deities.
Shiva As Phallic SymbolShiva, in temples is usually found as a phallic symbol of the linga, which represents the energies necessary for life on both the microcosmic and the macrocosmic levels, that is, the world in which we live and the world which constitutes the whole of the universe. In a Shaivite temple, the linga is placed in the centre underneath the spire, where it symbolises the naval of the earth.
A Different DeityThe actual image of Shiva is also distinct from other deities: his hair piled high on the top of his head, with a crescent tucked into it and the river Ganges tumbling from his hairs. Around his neck is a coiled serpent representing Kundalini or the spiritual energy within life. He holds a trident in his left hand in which is bound the 'damroo' (small leather drum). He sits on a tiger skin and on his right is a water pot. He wears the 'Rudraksha' beads and his whole body is smeared with ash.
The Destructive ForceShiva is believed to be at the core of the centrifugal force of the universe, because of his responsibility for death and destruction. Unlike the godhead Brahma, the Creator, Shiva is the dissolving force in life. But Shiva dissolves in order to create, since death is the medium for rebirth into a new life. So the opposites of life and death and creation and destruction both reside in his character.
The Most Fascinating of GodsHe is also often portrayed as the supreme ascetic with a passive and composed disposition. Sometimes he is depicted riding a bull called Nandi decked in garlands. Although a very complicated deity, Shiva is one of the most fascinating of Hindu gods.
The God Who's Always High!Since Shiva is regarded as a mighty destructive power, to numb his negative potentials he is fed with opium and is also termed as Bhole Shankar, one who is oblivious of the world. Therefore, on Maha Shivratri, the night of Shiva worship, devotees, especially the menfolk, prepare an intoxicating drink called Thandai (made from cannabis, almonds, and milk) sing songs in praise of the Lord and dance to the rhythm of the drums

Top 10 Hindu Deities

2007-07-16T01:25:00.000-07:00

Ganesha

Easily recognizable as the elephant-deity riding a mouse, Ganesha is arguably he most popular Hindu God, and one of the commonest mnemonics for anything associated with Hinduism. The son of Shiva and Parvati, Ganesha is depicted has having a curved trunk and big ears, and a huge pot-bellied body of a human being. He is All About the Most Popular Zoomorphic Hindu Deitythe lord of success and destroyer of evils and obstacles. He is also worshipped as the god of knowledge, wisdom and wealth.

All About the Most Popular Zoomorphic Hindu Deity
Ganesha — the elephant-deity riding a mouse — has become one of the commonest mnemonics for anything associated with Hinduism. This not only suggests the importance of Ganesha, but also shows how popular and pervasive this deity is in the minds of the masses.
The Lord of SuccessThe son of Shiva and Parvati, Ganesha has an elephantine countenance with a curved trunk and big ears, and a huge pot-bellied body of a human being. He is the Lord of success and destroyer of evils and obstacles. He is also worshipped as the god of education, knowledge, wisdom and wealth. In fact, Ganesha is one of the five prime Hindu deities (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Durga being the other four) whose idolatry is glorified as the panchayatana puja.
Ganesh ChaturthiThe devotees of Ganesha are known as 'Ganapatyas', and the festival to celebrate and glorify him is called Ganesh Chaturthi.
Significance of the Ganesha FormGanesha's head symbolizes the Atman or the soul, which is the ultimate supreme reality of human existence, and his human body signifies Maya or the earthly existence of human beings. The elephant head denotes wisdom and its trunk represents Om, the sound symbol of cosmic reality. In his upper right hand Ganesha holds a goad, which helps him propel mankind forward on the eternal path and remove obstacles from the way. The noose in Ganesha's left hand is a gentle implement to capture all difficulties.
The broken tusk that Ganesha holds like a pen in his lower right hand is a symbol of sacrifice, which he broke for writing the Mahabharata. The rosary in his other hand suggests that the pursuit of knowledge should be continuous. The laddoo (sweet) he holds in his trunk indicates that one must discover the sweetness of the Atman. His fan-like ears convey that he is all ears to our petition. The snake that runs round his waist represents energy in all forms. And he is humble enough to ride the lowest of creatures, a mouse.
How Ganesha Got His HeadThe story of the birth of this zoomorphic deity, as depicted in the Shiva Purana, goes like this: Once goddess Parvati, while bathing, created a boy out of the dirt of her body and assigned him the task of guarding the entrance to her bathroom. When Shiva, her husband returned, he was surprised to find a stranger denying him access, and struck off the boy's head in rage. Parvati broke down in utter grief and to soothe her, Shiva sent out his squad (gana) to fetch the head of any sleeping being who was facing the north. The company found a sleeping elephant and brought back its severed head, which was then attached to the body of the boy. Shiva restored its life and made him the leader (pati) of his troops. Hence his name 'Ganapati'. Shiva also bestowed a boon that people would worship him and invoke his name before undertaking any venture.
However, there's another less popular story of his origin, found in the Brahma Vaivarta Purana: Shiva asked Parvati to observe the punyaka vrata for a year to appease Vishnu in order to have a son. When a son was born to her, all the gods and goddesses assembled to rejoice on its birth. Lord Shani, the son of Surya (Sun-God), was also present but he refused to look at the infant. Perturbed at this behaviour, Parvati asked him the reason, and Shani replied that his looking at baby would harm the newborn. However, on Parvati's insistence when Shani eyed the baby, the child's head was severed instantly. All the gods started to bemoan, whereupon Vishnu hurried to the bank of river Pushpabhadra and brought back the head of a young elephant, and joined it to the baby's body, thus reviving it.
Ganesha, the Destroyer of PrideGanesha is also the destroyer of vanity, selfishness and pride. He is the personification of material universe in all its various magnificent manifestations. "All Hindus worship Ganesha regardless of their sectarian belief," says D N Singh in A Study of Hinduism. "He is both the beginning of the religion and the meeting ground for all Hindus."

Nepal goddess a rare sight indeed

2007-07-16T01:14:00.000-07:00

Next Tuesday, tourists in Nepal will have the rare opportunity of seeing a living goddess.

The opportunity is rarer than they think because six-year-old Preeti Sakya - the living Hindu goddess or Kumari - has been hidden away for six months during a row over who gets tourists' money.
Her guardians say she should receive a fair share of the fee tourists pay for entry to Kathmandu's Hanumandhoka palace square where she lives.
Municipal officials say they have to use the proceeds of the $2.50 fee to maintain the world heritage-listed site.
Still, for one day at least tourists will be able to see the Kumari when she is borne in a palanquin - a covered litter - in a religious procession through Kathmandu.
The municipality earns in the name of Kumari and we don't get anything to maintain the rituals associated with her
Gautam Sakya, guardian
Preeti was chosen as Kumari three years ago.
According to the 300-year-old tradition, a girl from the Sakya caste of the Newari community in the Kathmandu Valley is selected through rigorous tests.
She remains the goddess until puberty and is called upon to give blessings to Nepal's Hindus and Buddhists - and even the king.

LIVING GODDESS IN NEPAL

2007-07-13T01:23:00.000-07:00

Kumari Devi & the Indra Jatra Festival

The Himalayan Hindu kingdom of Nepal is not only the land of many mountain peaks, but also many gods and goddess, unique among all of them being the living, breathing goddess – Kumari Devi, a deified young girl.
The custom of worshipping a pre-pubescent girl, who is not a born goddess, as the source of supreme power is an old Hindu-Buddhist tradition that still continues to this day in Nepal.
Choosing the Living GoddessThe selection of the Kumari, who is entitled to sit on the pedestal for worship as the Living Goddess is an elaborate affair. According to the traditions of Vajrayana sect of Mahayana Buddhism, girls in the age-group of 4-7 year, who belong to the Sakya community, and have an ‘appropriate’ horoscope are screened on the basis of their 32 attributes of perfection, including color of eyes, shape of teeth and even voice quality. They are then are taken to meet the deities in a dark room, where terrifying tantrik rituals are performed. The real goddess is one who stays calm and collected throughout these trials. Other Hindu-Buddhist rituals that follow finally determine the real Kumari.
Girl Becomes GoddessAfter the ceremonies, the spirit of the goddess is said to enter her body. She takes on the clothing and jewelry of her predecessor, and is given the title of Kumari Devi, who is worshipped on all religious occasions. She would now live in a place called ‘Kumari Ghar’, at Kathmandu’s Hanumandhoka palace square. It is a beautifully decorated house where the living goddess performs her daily rituals.
Goddess Turns HumanThe Kumari’s godhood comes to an end with her first menstruation, because it is believed that on reaching puberty the Kumari turns human. However, if she turns out to be unlucky, even a minor cut or bleeding can render her invalid for worship, and the search for the new goddess has to begin.
The Kumari FestivalEvery September, on the Indra Jatra festival, the living goddess in all her bejeweled splendor is borne in a palanquin in a religious procession through parts of the Nepalese Capital. It is a grand carnival attended by people in thousands, who come to see the living goddess and seek her blessings. In keeping with an old tradition, the Kumari also blesses the King of Nepal during this festival.

Gautam Sakya, guardian

Preeti was chosen as Kumari three years ago.
According to the 300-year-old tradition, a girl from the Sakya caste of the Newari community in the Kathmandu Valley is selected through rigorous tests.
She remains the goddess until puberty and is called upon to give blessings to Nepal's Hindus and Buddhists - and even the king.

Tug of war

Normally, the Kumari appears for tourists through an intricately carved window at her residence in the historic square.
But not for the past six months. Her guardians have withdrawn her from sight because of the row with the Kathmandu municipality.

The guardians want 10% of the take from entrance fees
"It is unfair," says Gautam Sakya, one of the guardians. "The municipality earns in the name of Kumari and we do not get anything to maintain the rituals associated with her."
The guardians insist that the local body should pay them at least 10% of its annual earnings of a little over $200,000.
Municipality officials argue they have to meet costs for conservation work at the site, recently listed as endangered by the UN cultural organisation, Unesco.
"Still, we have offered them around $200 a month, but they are yet to respond," says Deepak Kansakar, manager of the Kathmandu municipality's conservation project at the Hanumandhoka site.
Before the municipality began charging tourists the entrance fee two years ago, foreign visitors were allowed to see the Kumari and offered money individually.
Gautam Sakya says: "But now, since tourists pay the entrance fee to the municipality, the visitors demand they should get to see the Kumari while she gets nothing in return."
In the tug of war between the municipality and the guardians, the tourists have been the losers.
"We were told she would appear there for us," said Kurd Luger, an Austrian backpacker, pointing at the window.
"It's disappointing to learn that we will not get to see her."

The Naga Panchami Festival

2007-07-13T01:20:00.000-07:00

Naga Panchami is a festival that is held in Nepal and literally translated means the “Festival of Snakes”. It is a festival that originates from deep within the Nepali culture and its rich traditions, rituals and myths that have survived for thousands of years and which have played a significant role in the lives of the ancient people of Nepal.
Ancient Nepalese civilizations worshiped the Nagas, or Serpent Kings, and believed that their relationship with the gods and nature would secure their survival. The myths and legends surrounding the Nagas have a few versions of the story that led to a creation of the festival. In one story version, it is said that the Kathmandu Valley used to be a vast lake. As the story goes, when humans started to drain the lake to make space for villages and settlements the Nagas became enraged. To protect themselves against the wrath of the Serpent Kings, the humans gave the Nagas certain areas as pilgrimage destinations and that through these actions harmony was restored to nature.
Another popular tale is one of a Tantric King that used the powers he possessed to force the Nagas to return the rain to the land which they had taken away. The Nagas did give in to the King’s amazing powers, but he also recognized their powers. To honor the power of the Nagas, the King created the Naga Panchami festival to honor the Gods. As the serpents were believed to be capable of controlling the rains, it is important to the people of Nepal to show their respect during the festival to insure that they do not offend the Gods.
The festival usually takes place in the month of August and as part of the celebration, residents post pictures of serpents above the doors to their home to ward off the evil spirits. Prayers are said during the festival while people wearing demon masks, dance in the streets entertaining festival participants. It is also believed that offerings should be given to the Serpent Kings during the festival and residents leave food items such as milk and honey in their gardens for the Nagas, or snakes. The offerings and prayers are then honored by the Serpent Kings by ensuring rain and protection for the people of Nepal.
Naga Panchami is an ancient tradition and festival, that is a truly amazing ritual to experience and the perfect time to hear the various stories, myths and legends that have been passed down to Nepal’s present generation.
RSS Feeds allow you to stay up to date with the latest news and features from Nepal.comTo subscribe to it, you will need a News Reader or other similar device.

KUMARI

2007-04-23T22:01:00.000-07:00

Kumari, or Kumari Devi is a living Hindu goddess in Nepal. Kumari literally means virgin in Nepali. A Kumari is a prepubescent girl selected from the Shakya caste of the Nepalese Newari community. The Kumari is revered and worshipped by the country's Hindus as well as the Nepali Buddhists, though not the Tibetan Buddhists.
While there are several Kumaris throughout Nepal, with some cities having several, the best known is the Royal Kumari of Kathmandu, and she lives in the Kumari Ghar, a palace in the center of the city. The selection process for her is especially rigorous. The current Royal Kumari, Preeti Shakya, was installed on July 10, 2001 at the age of four.
A Kumari is believed to be the bodily incarnation of the goddess Taleju until she menstruates, after which it is believed that the goddess vacates her body. Serious illness or a major loss of blood from an injury are also causes for her to revert to common status.

Life of the Royal Kumari

Once the chosen girl completes the Tantric purification rites and crosses from the temple on a white cloth to the Kumari Ghar to assume her throne, her life takes on an entirely new character. She will leave her palace only on ceremonial occasions. Her family will visit her rarely, and then only in a formal capacity. She will neither work nor attend school. Her playmates will be drawn from a narrow pool of Newari children from her caste, usually the children of her caretakers. She will always be dressed in red, wear her hair in a topknot and have the agni chakchuu or ‘fire eye’ painted on her forehead as a symbol of her special powers of perception.
The Royal Kumari's new life is vastly different from the one to which she has been accustomed in her short life. Whilst her life is now free of material troubles, she has ceremonial duties to carry out. Although she is not ordered about, she is expected to behave as befits a goddess. She has shown the correct qualities during the selection process and her continued serenity is of paramount importance; an ill-tempered goddess is believed to portend bad tidings for those petitioning her.
The Kumari's walk across the Durbar Square is the last time her feet will touch the ground until such time as the goddess departs from her body. From now on, when she ventures outside of her palace, she will be carried or transported in her golden palanquin. Her feet, like all of her, are now sacred. Petitioners will touch them, hoping to receive respite from troubles and illnesses. The King himself will kiss them each year when he comes to seek her blessing. She will never wear shoes; if her feet are covered at all, they will be covered with red stockings.
The power of the Kumari is perceived to be so strong that even a glimpse of her is believed to bring good fortune. Crowds of people wait below the Kumari's window in the Kumari Chowk, or courtyard, of her palace, hoping that she will pass by the latticed windows on the third floor and glance down at them. Even though her irregular appearances last only a few seconds, the atmosphere in the courtyard is charged with devotion and awe when they do occur.
The more fortunate, or better connected, petitioners visit the Kumari in her chambers where she sits upon a gilded lion throne. Many of those visiting her are people suffering from blood or menstrual disorders since the Kumari is believed to have special power over such illnesses. She is also visited by bureaucrats and other government officials. Petitioners customarily bring gifts and food offerings to the Kumari, who receives them in silence. Upon arrival, she offers them her feet to touch or kiss as an act of devotion. During these audiences, the Kumari is closely watched. Here is how some of her actions are interpreted:
Crying or loud laughter: Serious illness or death
Weeping or rubbing eyes: Imminent death
Trembling: Imprisonment
Hand clapping: Reason to fear the King
Picking at food offerings: Financial losses
If the Kumari remains silent and impassive throughout the audience, her devotees leave elated. This is the sign that their wishes have been granted.
Many people attend to the Kumari's needs. These people are known as the Kumarimi and are headed by the Chitaidar (patron). Their job is very difficult. They must attend to the Kumari's every need and desire whilst giving her instruction in her ceremonial duties. Whilst they cannot directly order her to do anything, they must guide her through her life. They are responsible for bathing her, dressing her and attending to her makeup as well as preparing her for her visitors and for ceremonial occasions.
Traditionally, the Kumari received no education as she was widely considered to be omniscient. More recently, however, she has been visited by a tutor, as modernization has made it necessary for her to have an education once she re-enters mortal life. Her tutors, however, are unable to require her to do anything, so they must also find ways to interest her in applying herself to her studies.
Similarly, her limited playmates must learn to respect her. Since her every wish must be granted, they must learn to surrender to her whatever they have that she may want and to defer to her wishes in what games to play or activities to engage in.

Former Kumaris

The end of a Kumari's divinity is abrupt and totally unplanned. As soon as she mentruates Durga 'vacates her body' and she reverts to being a mere mortal. Once a new Kumari has been selected, the former Kumari undergoes a number of rituals that formally divest her of her status. Over four days, the symbols of her divinity are taken away from her. Once this 'unfolding of the plait' is complete, she is left with but a gold coin and a piece of the regal red fabric in which she has been clothed during her years as Kumari.
Former Kumaris receive a pension from the state of 6000 rupees per month ($80). This is around twice the official minimum wage and around four times the average income in this poverty-stricken country. They often continue to be called Kumari rather than by the names given to them at birth. Although they are once again part of the ordinary world, they are often unable to fully shake off the mystique associated with having been a Kumari and often have trouble adjusting to 'normal' life.
Popular superstition says that a man who marries a Kumari is doomed to die within six months by coughing up blood. In reality, however, it seems that most Kumaris do not have trouble eventually finding husbands. All of the living former Kumaris with exception of the youngest ones have married.

Name
Hometown
Dates as Kumari
Marital Status
Hira Maiya Shakya
Wotu
1922-1923
married, 0 children
Chini Shova Shakya*
Lagan
1923-1931
married, 2 daughters
Chandra Devi Shakya*
Asonchuka
1931-1933
married, 2 daughters
Dil Kumari Shakya
Lagan
1933-1942
married, 3 sons ,1 daughter
Nani Shova Shakya
Ombahal
1942-1949
married, 4 sons, 2 daughters
Kayo Mayju Shakya*
Kwahiti
1949-1955
married, 1 son, 1 daughter
Harsha Laxmi Shakya
Naghal
1955-1961
married, 2 sons
Nani Mayju Shakya
Naghal
1961-1969
married, 1 son, 2 daughters
Sunina Shakya
Ombahal
1969-1978
married, 1 son, 1 daughter
Anita Shakya
Sikamoobahal
1978-1984
unmarried
Rashmila Shakya
Kwahiti
1984-1991
unmarried
Amita Shakya
Asanbahal
1991-2001
unmarried
Preeti Shakya
Itumbahal
2001-
unmarrie

Aspects

Devi is quintessentially, the core form of every Hindu Goddess. As the female manifestation of the supreme lord, she is also called Prakriti or Maya, as she balances out the male aspect of the divine addressed Purusha.
First come the consorts of the Holy trinity, Brahma with Goddess Saraswati, Vishnu with Goddess Lakshmi and Shiva with his consort Parvati also called Uma. They are usually worshipped alongside their divine spouses. Thus giving females equal standing in all holy rituals and ceremonies.
Though they have separate festivals dedicated solely to them as well, Lakshmi, the goddness of spiritual and material wealth is worshipped on Diwali,a new moon night, to symbolize that her presence is enough to dispell all the darkness from the hearts of her devotees.
Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge and wisdom is worshipped on the first day of the spring according to Hindu calendar, called the Basant Panchami. She brings forth a spring of divine knowledge and wisdom in hearts of every human being.
This is closely followed by the Navadurga or the nine aspects of Goddess Durga, the strong one (from Durg which means fort in Hindi). Goddess Durga was created with the joint energies of the Holy Trinity, Brahma- the Creator, Vishu- the Sustainer, and Shiva- the Destroyer, to fight the demon Mahishasura. Her nine various aspects are famously worshipped during the Autumn Navaratri or the Nine, New days, initiating the devotees into a period of festivities according to Hindu calendar.

Virginity

Virginity is a term used to describe the state of never having engaged in sexual intercourse. A person who still has his or her virginity can accordingly be described as being a virgin. In broader usage of these terms, they can characterize a state of purity. For example, some cocktails can be described as being "virgin" when they lack alcoholic content. (There is a grade of olive oil called "virgin," as well as a grade called "extra-virgin": the actual definitions are surprising.) Alternatively, it can indicate a lack of experience, such as a player of bingo being described as virgin when he is a newcomer to the game. In other contexts, these terms can apply to someone who has not engaged in sexual activities in general.

In culture

The status of virginity is respected and valued in certain societies, particularly when there are religious views regarding sexual conduct before marriage. A woman who is a virgin is also sometimes referred to as a maiden.
Female virginity is closely interwoven with personal or even family honor in many cultures. Traditionally in some cultures there has been a widespread belief that the loss of virginity before marriage is a matter of deep shame. In some cultures (for example the Bantu of South Africa), virginity testing or even surgical procedures guaranteeing premarital abstinence(infibulation) are commonplace. This would typically involve personal inspection by a female elder.
In Western marriage ceremonies, brides traditionally wear veils and white wedding dresses, which are inaccurately believed by many people to be symbols of virginity. In fact, wearing white is a comparatively recent custom among western brides, who previously wore whatever colors they wished or simply their "best dress." Wearing white became a matter first of trendy fashion and then of custom and tradition only over the course of the 19th century.

Technical Virginity
Some historians and anthropologists note that many societies that place a high value on virginity before marriage, such as the United States before the sexual revolution, actually have a large amount of premarital sexual activity that does not involve vaginal penetration[citation needed]: e.g., oral sex[citation needed], anal sex[citation needed] and mutual masturbation[citation needed]. Some refer to this as "technical" virginity.[citation needed]

Loss of virginity
The act of losing one's virginity, that is, of a first sexual experience, is commonly considered within Western culture to be an important life event and a rite of passage. It is highlighted by many mainstream Western movies (particularly films aimed at a teenaged audience). The loss of virginity can be viewed as a milestone to be proud of or as a failure to be ashamed of, depending on cultural perceptions. Historically, these perceptions were heavily influenced by perceived gender roles, such that for a male the association was more often with pride and for a female the association was more often with shame. (See Double standard.)
The partner during the loss of virginity is sometimes colloquially said to "take" the virginity of the virgin partner. In some places, this colloquialism is only used when the partner is not a virgin, but in other places, the virginity of the partner does not matter. The archaic term "deflower" is sometimes used in modern times to also describe the act of the virgin's partner, and the clinical term "defloration" is another way to describe the event.
One slang term used for virginity is "cherry" (often, this is the term to refer to the hymen, but can refer to virginity in males or females) and for a virgin, deflowering is to "pop their cherry," a reference to destruction of the hymen during first intercourse.
A curious term often seen in English translations of the works of the Marquis de Sade is "to depucelate." This word is apparently a literal translation of "dépuceler," a French verb derived from "pucelle" (n.f.), which means "virgin" and is the root of the modern slang term "pussy." (Joan of Arc was commonly called "la Pucelle" by her admirers, most likely in reference to the Virgin Mary, another highly respected woman at that time.)
In some countries until the late 20th century, if a man did not marry a woman whose virginity he took, the woman was allowed to sue the man for money, in some languages named "wreath money

The Living Goddess

The Royal Kumari is always a Buddhist girl of the Sakya caste. The girls are examined for the "32 perfections of a goddess," but almost certainly the list is simple: she must have had perfect health, with no serious illnesses, unblemished skin, black hair and eyes, no bad body smells, be premenstrual, and have lost no tooth. Her horoscope must in no way clash with the King’s.
In legendary time, a blood-red snake slithers toward a chamber. Inside, King Jayaprakash Malla sits in his Kathmandu palace playing a dice game, tripasa. He throws the three dice upon the board, then looks again at his companion.
Her beauty seems unearthly, the glow of her skin and midnight eyes more lambent than those of his wife’s, and the swell of her breasts and belly like a sea of dreams, it is because she is a goddess. She is Taleju Bhawani, Hindu mother-goddess, the protectress of his royal lineage and state. And she can read his amorous thoughts.
The game ends abruptly. Taleju rises from the board and condemns the King to the humiliations of his own flesh. From now on, she says, if he sees or speaks to her, it will never again be in her form of goddess; instead he must leave his palace and worship her in the body of a virgin girl of low caste.
Such is the legend, and in twentieth century Kathmandu, a mother’s dream of the red serpent is still a harbinger of her daughter becoming the Kingdom’s Living Goddess.
There are eleven living goddesses in Nepal known as Kumari, "virgin". These young girls are regarded as temporary embodiments of Taleju Bhawani, who in turn is a manifestation of the fierce female deity Durga, the Universal Mother.
The three most important Kumaris are each associated with one of the three main towns of Kathmandu Valley: Patan, Bhaktapur and Kathmandu. The most influential of the Kumaris is known as the Royal Kumari of Kathmandu. As Taleju, the protectress of the state, this girl is regarded as being so powerful that her annual blessing to the King, his family and officials is considered essential for the sovereign’s successful reign.
This beautiful girl, who must always wear red, her hair in a topknot and a painted third eye, lives a strange and paradoxical life. From her investiture as a small child until puberty, she has no name and lives in isolation. She commands more power among her people than almost any living person, and yet at the loss of a tooth, or of menstrual blood, she immediately reverts to mere mortality. She is a Buddhist, but is worshipped as both a Hindu and a Buddhist goddess.
Kumari-puja, or virgin-worship, dates back more than 2600 years in India. The goddess Kumari has been worshipped in Nepal since possibly the 6th century A.D. In the 14th century, Hari Singh Deva fled from his north-Indian kingdom to Bhaktapur, bringing with him the practice of worshipping his dynasty’s protectress, Taleju Bhawani. From then onward Taleju has been regarded as the chief protective deity of Nepalese kings.
The origin of the belief that Taleju incarnates in the living Kumari dates back to around the 17th century and to the story of Jayaprakash Malla and his lust for the goddess. Thereafter, Kumari-worship by the King, his officials and subjects became widespread within the three Valley kingdoms of Patan, Bhaktapur and Kathmandu.
During the great festival of Indra Jatra, the Royal Kumari emerges on one of the few occasions of the year. Leaving her palace, the tiny red-clad goddess, is carried in an ornate palanquin. Thousands of people fill the streets to see her. Police, guards, and her personal attendant, the Kumarima, ensure that she is never defiled by contact with the earth.
During another important Hindu festival, Dasain on the "black night" of kalratri, 108 buffaloes and 108 goats are brought to the courtyard of the Taleju temple and tethered to stone pillars. Their throats are slit so that their jugular spurts drench the ground. The heads are then severed and taken up to the temple as offerings to Taleju. The following night the royal goddess walks on a cloth to the temple. Inside, she is seated in the midst of all the severed heads and is worshipped by a priest. The details of these particular rites remain secret.
The gouts of blood and severing of heads during Dasain are also part of the selection process for the Royal Kumari. As soon as a reigning Kumari gives evidence through one of the disqualifying signs that she is mortal and that the spirit of the goddess is thus deserting her, the Kumari informs a senior priest. He in turn informs the King and the royal astrologer and the elders of certain bahals, or temple lodges, who have eligible daughters.
The Royal Kumari is always a Buddhist girl of the Sakya caste. The girls are examined for the "32 perfections of a goddess," but almost certainly the list is simple: she must have had perfect health, with no serious illnesses (especially small pox), unblemished skin, black hair and eyes, no bad body smells, be premenstrual, and have lost no tooth. Her horoscope must in no way clash with the King’s. It is usual to select a girl who is weaned and can walk. In addition, the selection committee regards her family’s general reputation for piety and looks for calmness and fearlessness in the girl.
The girl who is nominated then undergoes an extraordinary test on the night of kalratri, when she must pass by all the slaughtered animals without showing any fear. If she maintains a perfectly calm demeanor through the circuit of carnage she is then taken by the priests into the Taleju temple and installed as goddess.
This ritual is closed, but probably consists of Tantric ceremonies to remove all past experiences from her body. She then becomes a perfectly pure vessel for the spirit of the goddess to enter. The ceremony reaches its climax when the girl, who is now wearing her Kumari top-knot, a red tika mark on her forehead to represent the third eye, red vestments, red painted toes, and elaborate jewelery, takes her seat on the lion throne. At dawn she leaves the temple and walks through a huge crowd, treading on a white cloth as she goes across the public square to her official residence.
She has now become Taleju (Durga in the form of Kumari). Simultaneously, to Vajrayana Buddhists she has become their chief Tantric deity, Vajradevi. From now on, she is sequestered in her small palace and, apart from less than a dozen ceremonial occasions each year, views the world only through the ornately carved lattice of her window. Each day she is adorned by the Kumarima in her red clothes and elaborate black eye make-up, and then taken to her throne for puja performed by the Hindu Achaju priest.
She spends several hours each day upon her throne, receiving up to a dozen visitors, who may range from peasants or patients (particularly those with bleeding problems) to government officials. During their supplications and offerings, her movements are regarded as omens. If she cries or laughs loudly, the worshipper is said to become seriously ill or even die. If she weeps and rubs her eyes, the worshipper will die immediately. If she trembles, the person will go to jail; clap her hands and he will have cause to fear the King; pick at the food offered, he will lose money. If none of the ominous signs appear, the worshipper’s wish will be satisfied.
Because she is a goddess she may not be given orders by others, yet she may not be capricious to the point of being "ungoddess-like." Her few playmates are expected to obey her and she must be given any toy she desires. As a goddess she is expected to be omniscient and, traditionally, receives no schooling. Nowdays it is recognized that this is a serious handicap once she returns to ordinary life, and a Kumari now receives some instruction in reading and writing.
A girl remains Kumari until she reveals any of the signs that show her to be human rather than divine. Should a Kumari fall ill, a doctor may be summoned only if the illness is so serious that she is first declared to be no longer a goddess.
There are a number of former Royal Kumaris, some of whom have held the position up until the age of thirteen and even sixteen. When one is declared unfit as Kumari, she immediately ceases to be regarded as a goddess, goes through a final puja, and hands back her jewels and red garb. The spirit of the goddess is said to have vacated her body. She now returns to her family, but probably never to normal life.
Few marry, for Kathmandu suitors are not overly keen to wed an ex-Kumari. The girls are believed to retain some of their divine power, and the idea of marrying a woman in whom the demon-slaying, blood-drinking Durga once dwelt is a daunting prospect. Superstition has it that this power can even be fatal to a husband. Even those who do not credit the girl with supernatural powers point out that a girl who for years has been the object of male veneration and fear, and has had every whim satisfied, must have difficulties in adapting to the new role of a humble wife.
As well as the Royal Kumari, the Kathmandu Valley has three other Kumaris who are worshipped only in their own localities. The capital’s sister cities of Patan and Bhaktapur have two and three Kumaris respectively, and elsewhere there are another two local Kumaris of lesser importance. There are also a number of Gana Kumaris, groups of girls collectively worshipped on special occasions.
The tradition of Kumari-worship is still strong in Nepal, and although it has been modified slightly by education and parental reluctance, it can be expected to continue. Meanwhile, the Nepalese ability to embrace new qualities has taken a quick and practical turn from legend-time into present-time. In recent years the State has financed the appearance of five girls known as the Pancha Kumari. Whenever the King or a visiting head of state arrives at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan Airport, the teenage girls welcome the dignitaries by placing flower garlands around their necks.

HISTORY

Whilst the veneration of a living Kumari in Nepal is relatively recent, dating only from the 17th century, the tradition of Kumari-Puja, or virgin worship, has been around for much longer. There is evidence of virgin worship taking place in India for more than 2,600 years. It appears to have taken hold in Nepal in the 6th century. There is written evidence describing the selection, ornamentation and worship of the Kumari dating from the 13th century.
There are several legends circulating about how the current cult of the Kumari began. Most of the legends, however, lead back to King Jayaprakash Malla, the last Nepalese king of the Malla Dynasty. According to the most popular legend, a red serpent approaches the King's chambers late one night as he plays tripasa, a dice game, with the goddess Taleju. The King begins to admire the surpassing beauty of Taleju, the patroness of his royal lineage, realizing that her beauty surpasses that of his own wife. His amorous thoughts, however, are found out as the goddess is able to read his thoughts.
Standing abruptly, Taleju rebukes the king for his lustful thoughts and declares that if he is ever to see her again, it will be in the form of a young girl from a shakya caste. Hoping to make amends with his patroness, the King leaves the palace in search of the young girl who was possessed by Taleju's spirit. Even today, a mother's dream of a red serpent is believed to portend the elevation of her daughter to the position of Royal Kumari. And each year, the Nepalese King seeks the blessing of the Royal Kumari at the festival of Indra Jatra.
A variation of this and other legends names King Gunkam Dev, a 12th century ancestor of King Jayaprakash Malla as the main character rather than Jayaprakash Malla.
Another legend of the origins of the cult of the Kumari is more disturbing. According to this legend, King Jayaprakash Malla had intercourse with a pre-pubescent girl who later died as a result. The King, overcome with guilt, began having dreams that told him that he must begin to search for each young incarnation of Taleju. To make penance for his actions, he must then worship the Kumari and ask for her blessing each year.
A third variation of the legend says that during the reign of King Jayaprakash Malla, a young girl was banished from the city because it was feared that she was possessed by the goddess Durga. When the Queen learned of the young girl's fate, she became enraged and insisted that the King fetch the girl and install her as the living incarnation of Durga.