Written by: Ojas Acharya - 25046, Grade XI
Posted on: 30 October, 2023
Kumari is a prepubescent girl usually selected from the Newar community in Nepal who is worshiped as the living embodiment of the Hindu goddess ‘Taleju’ or ‘Durga’. The selection process involves rigorous cultural and religious criteria, and the chosen girl undergoes a series of rituals before being officially recognized as the Kumari. Kumari also symbolizes power and security to Nepalese who believe that the living goddess protects them during difficult times. Even during the earthquake in 2015, the people inside the Kumari Ghar were sitting with the Kumari with no fear. The Kumari is considered a spiritual figure and holds a significant place in local religious practices.
The history of the Kumari tradition is deeply rooted in Nepal's cultural and religious heritage. There are no definite documents which proves the origin of the living goddess. It is believed to be in practice from the 17th century. Some sources claim to have a proof that the Kumari is being worshiped back from 2300 years ago.
There are many stories behind Kumari’s Origin. The most believed story is associated with the Malla Dynasty. According to this story, it is believed that the goddess ‘Taleju’ used to visit the last king of Malla Dynasty, Jaya Prakash Malla during the night as a very beautiful girl and used to play dice with him. The goddess used to visit the king only on one condition that the king should not share anything about their meeting to anyone, not even to the queen. But one day the Queen followed the king Jaya Prakash Malla and found out about the meeting of the King and the goddess Taleju. When goddess Taleju found out about the queen knowing about their meeting, Goddess Taleju got very furious and left the King’s Place. The goddess ‘Taleju’ came into the dream of Jaya Prakash Malla, and said that She will incarnate as a Living Goddess in one of the girls from Ratanawali’s Shakya community. To improve the relationship with Goddess Taleju and for the protection of the people of his kingdom, King Jaya Prakash started the search and found the girl from the Shakya Community and started worshiping her. He created a palace for the Kumari to stay and was named as Kumari Ghar. The Kumari lives there even this day. It is said that from that time of Malla Dynasty worshiping of the living goddess started in Nepal and has been practiced till today.
For the selection of the Kumari there's a selection process in which the girl of 3 years from the Shakya community is kept away from their family and is named as Kumari. They have some conditions that they should not be unhealthy or sick, their teeth should not fall, and they should not bleed even once in their life. After the Girl completes this selection stage then 32 characteristics and qualities inside them are distinguished such as their tongues should be small, their voice should be sweet, and they should be peaceful. The characteristics and qualities of the girl are distinguished by Vajracharya Pujari, Pancha Buddha, Taleju Pujari and Shahi Jyotishi all. After this selection is completed and all the 32 characteristics and qualities match, their final selection takes place in the day of Dashain where a buffalo with its head cut off is kept and a male wearing devil crown dances in front of the girl. If the girl doesn't react or passes this step without fear, she is chosen as the incarnation of goddess Mahakali also known as Kumari.
After being the Kumari, the girl's life changes completely. She is kept in the Kumari Ghar where she is engaged in her religious work. The Kumari spends her life inside a four wall room where a candle is kept and she cannot move out from the Kumari Ghar on normal days except during festivals. There is a condition that she should not touch the ground with her feet. The Kumari does not have any expression on their face and while someone meets with the Kumari and if Kumari expresses their emotion, it is said to be a prediction of the future. If Kumari laughs or cries, it symbolizes suffering from diseases or death.
The girl is considered a Kumari until they don't bleeding from their body whether it is a small hurt or they hit puberty and start menstruation. If by accident the Kumari gets hurt and bleeds, that girl is no longer considered a Kumari. After being removed from the post of Kumari the girl can live her life freely without any restrictions, and they also get pension. Nepalese community believes that the man who marries Kumari dies at a young age. So most of them don't like marry Kumari because of fear of death.
Even though the Kumari tradition is facing criticism regarding the well-being and rights of the young girls these days. The selected Kumari is secluded from her family and the outside world for the duration of her tenure, and This isolation may disrupt her education and normal social development as she's often confined to the Kumari Ghar, and is restricted from ordinary activities that children her age typically engage in. Most of the Kumaris may face psychological problems as well. It is an issue of discussion that Kumari Pooja is really challenged recently.
