By Achal Narayanan
Religion News Service
Chennai, India – The appointment of a new “living goddess” in Nepal has been held up by the recent abolition of the Hindu monarchy in the Himalayan nation, according to Nepalese officials.
Traditionally, the palace priest appoints the girl, who is chosen in her infancy and is treated as a Kumari, or goddess, until puberty. But the priest no longer has any authority in the newly proclaimed secular republic, the head of the trust overseeing the tradition says.
A six-year-old girl was recently selected by a religious panel as the “living goddess” in the temple town of Bhaktapur, near the capital of Kathmandu.
The head of the trust overseeing the Kumari tradition told the BBC that because the royal priest no longer has any role in the matter, the chairman of the trust’s board will have to decide who would approve the new living goddess.
The previous Kumari, 11-year-old Sajani Shakya, was one of the three most revered Kumaris in Nepal until she was abruptly retired in March.
Last summer she was nearly sacked from her position after traveling to the United States to promote a new documentary about the Kumaris of Nepal. After threatening to strip the girl of her title, Nepalese authorities later agreed to a “cleansing” ceremony.
Copyright 2008 Religion News Service. All rights reserved. No part of this transmission may be distributed or reproduced without written permission.
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posted June 10, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Well at least this “goddess” is (sometimes) real, if not really a goddess.
posted June 10, 2008 at 7:51 pm
What made the 11 yr. old former Goddess unacceptable, because she left her temple and walked among people who were all different religions or none? or because she didn’t ask permission? Are all religions unforgiving and find a need to punish? Don’t you wonder what her little young mind learned out of this. If she were a goddess why should she not still be one, seems to make the whole idea seen unworthy. Evidently the cleansing ceremony didn’t work as they retired her.
posted June 10, 2008 at 9:05 pm
With the government in a state of flux, it should be interesting to see what happens with the appointment of a new “living goddess.” There is no “royals” anymore.
posted June 11, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Religion is a useful tool for tyrants to control naive people. And for politicians in certain other countries to influence gullible people during elections. In ancient Rome there was a pontifex maximus and also the vestal virgins and Sybilline Oracles.
posted June 13, 2008 at 11:01 am
O great – Divinity Selection Committee. Is this the very height of human sillines. Though having that on your resume may impress some employers.