- Two-year-old Aryatara Shakya has been proclaimed Nepal's new living goddess, the Kumari, in Kathmandu.
- Her installation took place during the country's significant Hindu festival, Dashain, replacing the previous Kumari who becomes mortal upon reaching puberty.
- Living goddesses are revered by both Hindu and Buddhist communities, chosen based on strict physical and behavioural criteria.
- Aryatara's father, Ananta Shakya, expressed pride, stating, "She was just my daughter yesterday, but today she is a goddess."
- Kumaris lead a sequestered life, though traditions are evolving to include education within the temple and a small pension for retired goddesses, who often face challenges adjusting to normal life.
IN FULL
