Living Goddess Kumari, predicts catastrophic incidents of Nepal

The chosen one- Living Goddess Kumari

1955, King Tribhuvan died six months after Kumari denied to put tika on his forehead. King Mahendra died in 1971, the year he failed to offer respects to Kumari. King Birendra had to give up his power and accepted Constitutional Monarchy in 1990, the year Kumari’s hair didn’t tie into a knot properly. 2001, Kumari broke into rashes and the same year Royal massacre shocked the world.
Rumors or reality, the acts of Kumari, the Living Goddess have predicted the tragedy in several occasions. God fearing Nepalese have faith in Kumari and every other deity, making Nepal one of the biggest spiritual destinations of the world.

In Nepal the Kumari is a chosen prepubescent girl by a council of Newari priests. Hindu faith manifests Kumari as living incarnation of Goddess Taleju or Durga. Once Kumari is chosen she resides in Kumari Ghar at Kathmandu Durbar Square as revered Living Goddess until her first menstruation. Loss of blood by any means from the body of Kumari indicates that Goddess Taleju no longer lives in her body. Once again, the search begins for new Kumari. The search isn’t easy. 32 qualities of a Hindu goddess in a virgin girl shall be matched.

House of Kumari- Kumari Ghar, Kathmandu Durbar Square
A body like a banyan tree, thighs like a deer, eyelashes like a cow and black set of eyes, perfect set of 20 milk teeth and long black hair are few of the physical attributes required to be chosen as a Living Goddess. The process narrows down the selection to next level. After physical qualities are evaluated, the process now enters the scary side. During the no moon night or say Kaal Ratri, Newari community sacrifices 108 buffaloes and goats to please their deities. The probable Kumaris are taken to the courtyard of Taleju Temple in Kathmandu Durbar Square for their next test. Blood covered heads of slaughtered animals are illumined and dances with frightening masks on take place. Expression of fear in child’s face eliminates her from the race of being a Living Goddess. After short listing even lesser children, the selection process comes to the scariest part. The girl able to spend a night in a dark room with the bloody heads of slaughtered animals without a sign of fear is finally a chosen successor of the Living Goddess Kumari.

Procession of Living Goddess, Kumari

The chosen one’s past is ritually cleansed. Then it’s a goodbye time. She will be adorned with Kumari attire and ornaments and taken to Kumari Ghar, her new house away from her family. She remains there until her first menstruation.
Goddess Kumari, which refers to Virgin God is an idea to worship the unlimited divine power that exists in every female soul on earth and Kumari is an ideal representation of divinity within women body. Kumari are supposed to leave their home, Kumari Ghar during religious ceremonies. Her feet never touch the ground whereas; her devotees battle to touch her feet during these ceremonies. In the past Kings visited her home to offer the prayers and these days higher officials have continued the culture. The minor activities of Kumari are regarded as bad omens in Nepal.