The Kumari " living goddess”

THE GIRL BEHIND THE GODDESS 

“The Kumari is a 'living goddess” the word literally means virgin in Nepali. Kumari is worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists as a living goddess and a protector bringing good luck and prosperity. Kumari are considered to be incarnations of the Hindu goddess of power, Kali.”

Patan city meaning city of beauty, One of the ancient city three Kilometer south east of Kathmandu, Nepal. One house at Harkha Bahal, there is a little girl playing with a group of friends. As she plays inside, a ray of light reflects on nine-year-old Samita Bajracharya’s face through the house’s small window. Though she may look like an average nine-year-old, she has recently been designated Patan’s “Kumari Devi- Living Goddess” after Patan’s previous Kumari Chanira Bajracharya,16, reached puberty which means she considered ritually unclean.

After becoming the Kumari in October 2010, Samita’s daily life has changed. She can no longer go to school, play outside, or touch her friends--all things that would make her ritually unclean.  But even in her new life, there is some semblance of her former childhood woven into her daily routine as the Kumari. Each morning at seven, she wakes up and performs Nitya Puja, daily ritual, after which she takes her favorite breakfast, eggs and fresh juice.  On the weekend, she is able to invite friends to play at her house. But the rest of the week, her best friend is her mom.

Like any normal child, Samita loves to watch cartoons. While watching television, she is often interrupted by her elder brother, Sabin, who would rather watch soccer. But now, since St. Xavier’s School has given the Kumari a computer, Samita doesn’t mind handing over the remote to spend time playing computer games and drawing houses on the computer’s Paint application. Along with the computer, the management committee of St. Xavier’s school has offered the young Kumari free education. Next week, teachers will arrive at her house, transforming her living room into a classroom for three hours a day. This is also where she will later attend the board exam, her father Kul Ratna Bajracharya expressed with pride.

Samita is often confined to her home, but there are some days when the Kumari is allowed to appear in front of the public. Before Patan’s biggest festivals, Samita’s mom helps her put on the traditional Kumari costume--carefully applying the makeup. We are all so familiar with and adorning her with the jewelry which is passed down from one Kumari to the next Her mother, father and a member of the Guthi, community, carry her from home to the festival procession, never allowing her feet to touch the ground--something considered unlucky. Most devotees take her blessing by offering flowers, rupees and by touching her feet. On special occasions, some devotees organize a special puja in Kumari ghar--the living goddess’ house. Everyone from businessmen starting new ventures, students preparing for a big exam, to people just hoping to find strength and improve ailing health visit the Kumari for blessings.

In the evening, after fulfilling her duties as the Kumari, Samita washes off her makeup and returns to life as a normal girl--spending time with her family and studying by candlelight like the rest of the nation’s students. Samita will remain a Kumari until she menstruates, after which it is believed that the goddess vacates her body and the Guthi must begin the search for the next young girl to become the Kumari.

KUMARI FEATURE PACKAGE BY NARENDRA SHRESTHA/ EPA / KATHMANDU, NEPAL