A 10-YEAR-OLD girl, worshiped as a living goddess in Nepal has had her title reinstated after defying tradition and visiting the US. Temple authorities at her home town in Bhaktapur were quoted as saying that the visit had tainted her purity, and that they were beginning the search for a successor.
But yesterday they said she would not be stripped of her title because she was willing to undergo a “cleansing” ceremony to remove any sins. Sajani Shakya was one of the three most-revered Kumaris, who are honored by Hindus and Buddhists alike.
Human rights activists believe that the tradition constitutes child abuse.
I will post a detailed review of Kumari tradition in coming days.
