Kumari: The Living Goddess

What is a Kumari?

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A Kumari Goddess is a living goddess worshipped by Nepali Buddhists but not by Tibetan Buddhists. The term Kumari is derived from the Sanskrit word Kaumarya, which means princess. The Kumari Goddess is a very honored deity in Nepal as she is believed to be the incarnation of Taleju.

Taleju

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Kumari manifests in a young girl's body. These girls are generally chosen by five senior Buddhist Vajracharya priests, the Panch Buddha, the Bada Guruju or Chief Royal Priest, Achajau the priest of Taleju and the royal astrologer. A Kumari can only come from the family of the Newar Shakya caste of silver and goldsmiths. Priests look for signs, look for the qualities and make their selection. It is called Battis Lakshanas or 32 Perfections.

In addition, she must have very black hair, must be in excellent health, never have shed blood or been afflicted by any diseases, be without blemish and must not have yet lost any teeth.

Once the priests have chosen, the girl undergoes more tests to ensure that she really possesses the qualities necessary to be the living vessel of Durga. Her greatest test is during the Hindu festival of Dashain. On the kalratri or 'black night', the Kumari candidate is taken into the Taleju temple and released into the courtyard, where the severed heads of 108 buffaloes and goats are illuminated by candlelight and masked men are dancing about. These animals are sacrificed to the goddess Kali. She must show no fear upon seeing the animal's heads for the priests to confirm that she really possesses the qualities of Taleju or another girl will be brought in to attempt the same thing.

Dashain

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Another test is when she spends a night alone in a room with the heads of slaughtered buffaloes and goats without showing fear. If she passes, she'll prove that she has the serenity and the fearlessness that typifies the goddess who is to inhabit her.

Her final test is when she must pick out the personal belongings of the previous Kumari from an assortment of things laid out before her. If she passes, then she is no doubt the chosen one.

Once a Kumari is chosen, she is purified so that she may become the unblemished vessel for Taleju. She would undergo a number of secret Tantric rituals performed by priests to cleanse her body and her spirit of past experiences. Once these rituals are complete, Taleju enters her and it is only when she is presented as the new Kumari.

She will be dressed and made up as a Kumari. She will leave Taleju temple and walk across a square, white cloth to the Kumari Ghar which will be her home for the duration of her divinity. She will always dress in red and have the agni chakchuu or fire eye painted on her forehead as this symbolizes her special powers of perception.

Fire Eye

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The Kumari will walk across the Durbar Square for this is the last time her feet will touch the ground until such time the goddess departs from her body. She will only be carried or transported in her golden palanquin whenever she will venture out of the palace for her feet, like all of her is now sacred. She will only leave the temple to watch religious festivals over Kathmandu, one of which is Bhoto Jatra. This is the culmination of a month-long festival for rain and compassion.

The Durbar Square

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Bhoto Jatra

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Petitioners will touch the goddess, hoping to receive respite from troubles and illnesses.

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The King himself would also kiss them each year whenever he comes to seek a Kumari's blessing. She does not wear shoes but can only be covered with red stockings.

A Kumari must never touch the ground and can only speak to her immediate family to remain her divinity. She will be dismissed on her first period and it is only then when a new Kumari is selected.

Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumari_(goddess)
https://www.thelongestwayhome.com/travel-guides/nepal/kumari-of-nepal-living-goddess.html