Nepal Chooses 2-Year-Old Aryatara Shakya as New Living Goddess During Dashain Festival

Aryatara Shakya, a two-year-old girl from the Shakya clan of the Newar community in Kathmandu, has been chosen as Nepal's new Kumari, or "living goddess," a revered figure worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists. She was paraded from her home to the Kumari Ghar temple palace during the country's 15-day Dashain festival, where she will reside until reaching puberty. The selection criteria for Kumaris include unblemished skin, clear eyes and teeth, and fearlessness, and during festivals, the Kumari is dressed in red with a symbolic third eye painted on her forehead. Devotees showed deep respect by touching her feet with their foreheads and offering flowers and money, and Aryatara is expected to bless officials, including the president, during the festival. The outgoing Kumari, Trishna Shakya, stepped down upon reaching puberty and now faces challenges adjusting to ordinary life, a common issue for former Kumaris. Recent changes have allowed Kumaris some private education and access to modern amenities, and they receive a small state pension upon retirement.