LIVING GODDESS KUMARI

We made an appointment to see the living goddess (Kumari). There are three in the Kathmandu Valley and the rules vary a bit from one to the other. The history is complex, but in a nutshell, this girl is selected from The Newar tribe, local indigenous people and started in the 1600's when the king needed to consult the goddess so she had the king pick a girl so the goddess could inhabit her until she hit puberty. Then they pick a new goddess. This girl is 7 and can only speak through her father. 

This is the entrance to her temple. 

Inside the compound. 

Her toy room. 

The Kumari. She didn't speak at all. She sits mostly stone faced. I posted a short video of her fidgeting on the CCMT FB page. 

Her father answered questions for us 

Her father. Her picture is beside him. This is a great honor to the family. This goddess lives in Patan, a suburb of Kathmandu. There are three goddesses, one in each of three areas of Kathmandu.  They were originally three kingdoms that came together at some point. 

You have to donate some money, $2 in the plate beside her, then she will bless you with the red flower paste on your forehead. 

There are actual flower petals in the paste. 

This is her sister. 

And her brother. 

This is an ancient chariot nearby that the pull around town, dedicated to the rain God during the rain festival that is going on. It got stopped by the earthquake.