The embodiment of perfection: A two-year-old girl declared a living goddess

The two-year-old girl Arajtara Shakya was declared a "living goddess" in Nepal. It was chosen based on a strict, ritualistic process with a multi-generational tradition.

She will replace the eleven-year-old Trishna Shakya, who was declared a goddess when she was three years old, from the throne. The "service" lasts until the onset of puberty, because according to traditional belief, the "divine purity" of the Kumari is tainted by the first menstruation or some serious injury.

A living deity must be from the Shakya Buddhist caste and meet the criteria of the "32 Marks of Perfection," which include flawless skin and dark eyes.

In addition, during the election ceremonies, the future Kumari must remain calm and show no signs of fear.

Life in the clouds

After all the rituals, the Kumari is enthroned in the Kumari Palace in Durbar Square in Kathmandu. She leaves the palace only for religious ceremonies, during which her feet must not touch the ground.

Arjatara will be worshiped by the faithful as an incarnation of the Hindu "life-giving" goddess Bhavani, fighter against evil and patron of righteous rulers and people.

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Kumari unites the Hindu and Buddhist cultural spheres of Nepal, she is both a spiritual and national symbol of the country, writes the German "Spiegel". The blessing of the Kumari has long been considered a prerequisite for the legitimacy of the king in the monarchy. Today the President of Nepal receives her blessing. During the celebration of Indra Jatra, a ceremonially dressed Kamari in a carrier walks through the streets of Kathmandu.

Human rights activists criticize this tradition

The life of a Kumari is filled with many privileges, but for girls in the role of a goddess, it also means many renunciations, withdrawal from everyday life and isolation. Both in Nepal and abroad, there are discussions about the collision of ancient traditions and the rights that protect children today, writes "Spiegel". The main complaint is the extreme isolation of girls in the role of goddess and the restriction of the right to free movement.

Human rights organizations fundamentally criticize the practice of proclaiming children as deities, as a violation of the child's right to freedom, education and personal development. Earlier, Kumari did not receive any education. After the ruling of the Supreme Court of Nepal in 2008, there is an obligation to teach girls in the palace.