Meet the Living Goddess Kumari

A living deity and reincarnated goddess

Nepal’s culture is both rich and ancient and when you visit you’ll encounter numerous examples where tradition blends with modern life.

An important part of Nepal’s culture and tradition is the role of the Kumari or Living Goddess, who is revered and honoured as the embodiment of the Buddhist goddess Taleju or the Hindu goddess Durga. Legend tells how the ancient Kings of Nepal were devotees of the goddess Taleju who would often visit the palace until one day there was a conflict and the goddess became upset and disappeared. The King made countless prayers and requests for forgiveness after which the goddess came to him in a dream and asked him to choose a young Kumari that she could possess to represent her and through whom she would continue to be worshipped.

When it comes time to select a Kumari, a young girl (as young as two or three years old) from a Newari Buddhist family of the Shakya clan is chosen, after passing a variety of physical and spiritual tests, to become the representative and living reincarnation of the goddess and the embodiment of divine feminine energy. The selection process is similar to that of the Tibetan Lamas and dates back to the 17^th century when it was institutionalised by one of the Malla Kings.

A highly symbolic religious and cultural role

It’s a very important symbolic role and the Kumari is worshipped and revered by both Buddhists and Hindus and plays a central role in religious and cultural life in Nepal, including taking part in various public and private occasions, bestowing blessings and participating in key festivals. When the Kumari reaches puberty, she loses her divine status and returns to normal life, going to school, getting a job, getting married if she wishes and a new Kumari will be selected. There are several Kumaris, not just one – with a Kumari in Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur, Bungmati, Thimi and other Newar towns.

The Kumari mainly stays within her temple and doesn’t take part in daily life other than she does leave to take part in significant festivals and also sometimes holds private audiences. These days the Kumari receives schooling from a private tutor and can play with her friends and engage in childhood activities when not in public and is looked after in the temple by her parents and family. In her public role it’s expected she remains calm and emotionless, not speaking or smiling.

Catching a glimpse of the Kumari

In Kathmandu, the famous Kumari Temple where the Kumari lives, is at Basantapur, on the south side of Kathmandu Durbar Square, itself a very important cultural and historical site as well as UNESCO World Heritage Site in Nepal. When you visit here as part of a tour or by yourself, you might get a glimpse of the Living Goddess Kumari, looking out from the windows of her house, which is called Kumari Ghar. Built in 1757 it’s a wonderful example of some of the beautiful traditional architecture of Nepal with intricate wood carvings of gods, animals and symbols.

If you’re in Kathmandu in late August to early September, this is the time of the largest festival in Nepal, called Indra Jatra and during this, you may see the Kumari being carried in a golden palanquin across the city, as part of the special celebrations. Or if visiting Patan, you may be able to have a brief audience with the Kumari, where she will give you a special blessing.

If you'd like to find out more about visiting Kathmandu and Nepal, including the chance for a private audience and to receive a blessing from the Kumari, get in touch with us, we'd love to talk and help with your plans.