Nepal enthrones two-year-old as living goddess revered by Hindus and Buddhists

Aryatara Shakya, a two-year-and-eight-month-old girl, was enthroned as Nepal’s new Kumari, or “virgin goddess.” Her journey to this revered position began when her family carried her through a narrow alley in Kathmandu to a temple palace, marking the commencement of her sacred role. The ceremony took place during Indra Jatra, the nation’s most celebrated and longest Hindu festival.

The tradition dictates that the incumbent Kumari relinquishes her role upon reaching puberty, becoming a mortal once more. Aryatara succeeds the previous Kumari, Trishna Shakya, who served in this revered position since 2017 and is now eleven years old.

Kumaris are chosen exclusively from the Shakya clans of the Newar community, indigenous to the Kathmandu Valley, and honoured by both Hindus and Buddhists in the predominantly Hindu nation. Selection takes place between the ages of two and four, with candidates required to have flawless skin, hair, eyes and teeth, and to be unafraid of the dark.

Earlier this month, during the Indra Jatra festival, the former Kumari was paraded through the city on a chariot pulled by devoted followers. Traditionally, the Kumari wears red robes, styles her hair in a topknot, and bears a painted “third eye” on her forehead.

Tuesday also fell on the eighth day of Dashain, a fifteen-day festival celebrating the triumph of good over evil. It is one of Nepal’s most important festivals, with offices and schools closed as people gathered with their families to celebrate. Dashain is followed by other major festivities, including Tihar or Diwali.

The ceremony was marked by a vibrant procession as family, friends and devotees escorted Aryatara through Kathmandu’s streets before she entered her new home at the temple palace, where she will live for several years. Devotees lined the route, touching her feet with their foreheads, the highest form of respect in Hindu tradition, offering flowers and money as blessings. She is expected to bless the public, including the president, on Thursday.

“She was just my daughter yesterday, but today she is a goddess,” said her father, Ananta Shakya. He added that there had been signs of her future role even before her birth. “My wife, during pregnancy, dreamed that she was a goddess, and we knew she was going to be someone very special.”

The former Kumari, Trishna Shakya, departed through a rear entrance on a palanquin carried by her family and supporters. The honour of serving as Kumari is highly coveted, with eligible families from the Shakya clan competing for the position. For the family chosen, the role brings elevated standing both within society and their own clan.