Kumari Devi - The living Goddess of Nepal

Nepal, the neighboring country has a powerful tradition of worshiping the alive Goddess. Legend says this unique tradition is ancient but King Jaya Prakash Malla of Kathmandu started performing it systematically back in the mid of 18th century. A pre-pubescent little girl of Shakya or Bajracharya caste from the Newar community undergoes an arduous trial where she has to display 32 mandatory qualities to get selected as the Kumari Devi. The selection process happens on the "Ashtami(Eighth day)" of Navratri (called Dashain in Nepal); dedicated to "Kalratri". Once a kumari is selected she resides in the "Kumari ghar", the chamber dedicated to the goddess. It is believed that Devi Taleju(as Durga is called in Nepali)manifests in the "Kumari" to bless people. She is revered with utmost devotion by both Buddhists and Hindus alike. The Kumari is worshipped until she starts menstruating, after which it is believed that Taleju vacates her body hence a new Kumari is selected to replace the existing. An entry into my sketchbook 10/2022