Kumari Devis: Living Child Goddesses of Nepal
by Kumari Devis are a recognition of the inherent purity in all children and the universal consciousness underlying all humans.
Current Royal Kumari, Matina Shakya, installed October 2008 by Maoist government; Wikipedia
The selection process for finding the Kumari Devi is in no way less demanding than that of the Tibetan lamas. This is especially so for the royal goddess. Kumari Devi is chosen from among girls 3–5 years old belonging to the Buddhist Shakya clan. Her horoscope is thoroughly analyzed, her looks passed through magnifying glasses to ensure that they satisfy the 32 ‘samudrika lakshanas‘ or rules that determine facial beauty. Her mental strength is tested too by confining her overnight in a room which contain the remains of esoteric tantric rituals in the form of severed heads of goats and buffaloes around which men wearing demon masks dance. Only if she remains calm and composed despite her tender age, she will be considered the incarnation of Durga.
Girls await their turn at a selection process; Source
Source: TrekEarth
After the selection process, the Kumari moves into the Kumari Ghar, a palace where she spends most of her time studying and performing religious rituals. The Kumari Ghar (House of the Living Goddess), a three-story brick building richly decorated with wood-carved reliefs of gods and symbols, was built in 1757 by King Jaya Prakash Malla. Tourists wait at the courtyard to have a glimpse even if for a few brief seconds when the Kumari shows up at the balcony of the palace. Photographing the Kumari when she appears thus is strictly forbidden.
The balcony where the Kumari Devi appears briefly
Kumari Devi leads a cloistered life inside the palace and leaves it only few times a year during festivals.
The most important festival for the Kumari is Indra Jaatra, a harvest festival held in late August or early September. On the third day of the festival, the Kumari Devi is carried around Durbar Square in a chariot drawn by devotees to which she is carried all the way through, because her feet should never touch the ground. On that day, the Kumari bestows a tika (a red mark of blessing) on the forehead of the king.
All her glorious existence last only till Kumari reaches twelve years of age, by which time the hunt for the new Kumari begins, because she may menstruate any time after this, and with this her exalted status as a goddess come to an end. If she menstruates before this, or if she gets injured resulting in a bloody cut, she is disqualified, and a new goddess has to be inducted.
Though technically, a Kumari can marry in due course, it is a difficult calling, because men generally do not opt to do so out of fear induced by folklore that they may die young. Having lived a luxurious life , however restricted in terms of movement, speech, thought and education, the Kumaris are ill equipped to live normal lives. The government pays them some money on retirement, but is insufficient.
Parents send their girls to Kumarihood because of several considerations like increase of prestige and family honour, but does it violate child’s rights? I do think so, even if the children themselves don’t think so.
Times are changing, and the taboos surrounding old beliefs are slowly dying out. Here’s good news: A former Kumari passes school leaving exam.
References
http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/2167 (imp- on return)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1533196/Goddess-status-may-violate-girls-rights-says-court.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6264014.stm
http://asia.isp.msu.edu/wbwoa/south_asia/nepal/religion.htm
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Post Commentsamgoldencoffee
On January 30, 2011 at 6:45 am
that is a great way to tell the world about kumari devi.
i mean i’ve never heard of it before.
thanks for sharing.
OhSugar
On January 30, 2011 at 7:26 am
This is a very information article and interesting as well. The photos are beautiful.
Jimmy Shilaho
On January 30, 2011 at 7:31 am
Well explained but to really grasp this kind of child labor I must visit India first.
Uma Shankari
On January 30, 2011 at 7:37 am
@Shilaho, You’re welcome. Nepal is the only Hindu kingdom in the world. It is an independent country, sandwiched between India and China, now under Maoists’ rule.
monica55
On January 30, 2011 at 7:55 am
A wonderful piece of information. I agree with you totally that this is a violation of the child’s right, afterall passing the Kumari Devi test must be horrifying for a young child. Thanks for the share. Monica.
iklika
On January 30, 2011 at 10:57 am
interesting…
Anuprita
On January 30, 2011 at 12:07 pm
thanks for sharing…very informative..
valli
On January 30, 2011 at 12:36 pm
I had no idea of this practice. Thanks for the information.
bhaswati
On January 30, 2011 at 1:38 pm
very interesting info
Anj M
On January 30, 2011 at 1:45 pm
Did not know about this before.
albert1jemi
On January 30, 2011 at 3:24 pm
great article
GameLive
On January 30, 2011 at 8:57 pm
great article
Black Kush
On January 30, 2011 at 10:09 pm
Beautiful article…you sure enchanced my knowledge on Kumar Devis.
Tulan
On January 30, 2011 at 10:54 pm
it\\\’s sad to put these children in these positions. Hopefully these practices will someday come to an end.
papaleng
On January 31, 2011 at 7:32 am
First time to hear about this Kumari Devi and you did educated us on this topic. Well-done Uma.
Kate Smedley
On January 31, 2011 at 9:46 am
Very interesting read and excellent as always Uma, I do feel for the children that have to go through this practice…
DR.VNS
On February 1, 2011 at 1:37 pm
Well written. I think Nepal has switched over to secularism now shedding the tag of a Hindu kingdom.
anndavey650
On February 2, 2011 at 11:40 am
A fascinating piece. I am of the belief that a good percentage of people turn to religion because they fear death, rather than more altruistic motives – and while I do believe in a higher power out there, I feel that he/she is not tightly confined within one particular religion. While religion does a great deal of good in many countries over the ages it had also managed to do a great deal of harm with wars and the like. As for the little Kumari I hold mixed judgement. I am sure it is one of the greatest achievements to be chosen, but I also think this religion is stealing her childhood and a good part of her life. I hope the young lady in question has a magnificent spirit to bear it. I’m not sure how a Mother could give her child up for this life.
jayababy
On February 3, 2011 at 10:06 am
Nice to know this kind of information.