Jezebel: kumari

I Second That Emotion

Anna — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:10:00 EDT

[Hyderabad, August 3. Image via Getty]

This combo picture shows Indian classical dancer Kumari Sahithi performing the 'Navras' (nine expressive emotions) during her first Kuchipudi dance performance on stage in Hyderabad on August 3, 2009. The Navras depicted expresses (L-R, top to bottom) Shingar(erotic), Hasya (humourous), Karuna (pathetic), Raudra (terrible), Veera (heroic), Bhayana (fearful), Bibhastsa (odious), Adbhuta (wonderous), and Shanta (peaceful). AFP PHOTO/Noah SEELAM (Photo credit should read NOAH SEELAM/AFP/Getty Images)

The Living Goddesses

Anna — Fri, 29 May 2009 12:10:00 EDT

[Kathmandu, May 29. Image via Getty]

Young Nepalese girls, dressed as 'Kumari' - living goddess - perform a religious dance at The Army Parade Ground during celebrations of the first anniversary of Republic Day in Kathmandu on May 29, 2009. The 240-year old Hindu monarchy was abolished by the 601-member constituent assembly a year ago making Nepal the youngest republic. AFP PHOTO/Prakash MATHEMA (Photo credit should read PRAKASH MATHEMA/AFP/Getty Images)

Goddess Bless

Sadie — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:20:00 EDT

3-year-old Matani Shakya is a newly chosen "kumari," or living incarnation of the deity Talej, worshiped by both Hindus and Buddhists in her native Nepal. Although it sounds pretty rad, in fact the life of a child divinity is such a rough one that some say the practice violates child welfare laws. The goddesses, chosen between the ages of 2 and 4 and all members of the poor Shakya goldsmith caste, are selected after judges examine their horoscopes, confirm that they are free of physical imperfections, and can withstand a night alone "among the heads of ritually slaughtered goats and buffaloes" without getting scared. The children are then taken to a kumari house in Katmandu to live in near-isolation until puberty (when their divinity ends) and wheeled in a chariot pulled by followers during religious festivals. Apparently the transition back to normal life can be a difficult one and, since it is commonly believed that marrying a former kumari results in early death for the husbands, many of the girls face difficult and lonely lives. [Yahoo]

The Goddess Lifestyle

Maria — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:40:00 EDT

Remember how religious authorities in Nepal were looking for a new "living goddess"? Now Nepal's Supreme Court has ordered the government to ensure health care and education for the young female goddesses, or kumaris, after the girls are forced to retire their position once they reach puberty. Critics claim that goddess life can be hard on the children, who are kept in temples from as young as 4-years-old and are worshiped by visitors. Nepal recently became a republic after lawmakers abolished the monarchy and now many cultural traditions are being challenged. [Reuters]