Aryatara Shakya, a 2-year-old from Nepal, was selected as the country’s new Kumari or “virgin goddess” in Kathmandu on Tuesday. The toddler was installed during the eighth day of the Hindu festival Dashain, replacing 11-year-old Trishna Shakya, who served since 2017. Aryatara was carried by her father from their home to the Kumari Ghar temple palace, where she will live for several years until puberty. Supporters lined up to touch their foreheads to her feet and offered money and flowers during the procession. Girls chosen as Kumari must be between ages 2 and 4 with unblemished features and cannot fear darkness. “She was just my daughter yesterday, but today she is a goddess,” said her father Ananta Shakya. The new living goddess will be worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists and will bless the president on Thursday. (Story URL)
