A young girl, who according to Hindu doctrine is believed to be a Kumari - the living embodiment of the goddess in all women - is paraded through the streets of Kathmandu as part of the annual Indra Yatra festival. Kathmandu, Nepal. 02/09/2009.
The living goddess has been worshiped in Nepal since the 17th century. There are Kumari's in other districts of Nepal but the Kumari of Kathmandu is the most prominent one.
The worship of god in the feminine living form form comes from the Kumari Puja which is thousands of years old. It is said in the Devi Mahatmyam, a sacred Hindu scripture, that the goddess resides in all female living beings in this universe.
A Kumari is chosen from the Sakya community when she is between 4 and 7 years old.The candidate has to pass a number of tests to fulfill the requirements which follow a tantric code. This includes confronting the goddess in a dark room filled with buffalo heads and scary noises. If the girl gets scared she is immediately disqualified. Furthermore she has to identify several objects that have been used by the previous Kumari.
Once the Kumari reaches puberty and starts her period she looses her sanctity and a new Kumari has to be chosen.
The first Kumaris had a difficult time reintegrating into Nepalese society, because marrying an ex-Kumari was thought to bring bad fortune. Contemporary Kumaris receive a small pension from the government. Many have gone on to study at university, marry and have children.
Throughout the year the Kumari resides in a house in the historic district of Bashantapur, Kathmandu. All expenses of the Kumari and her attendants are paid for by the Nepali government. She only appears in public a few times a year for festivals. These photos were taken during the Indra Yatra festival which is held in Kathmandu annually in early September.
During this festival the Kumari visits a nearby temple, blesses the president of Nepal and is drawn on a magnificent cart through the narrow streets of Kathmandu.
