Dw.Com

Nepal: New 2-year-old girl chosen as Living Goddess  DW  10/01/2025

People

2-Year-Old Girl Selected as Nepal's New Living Goddess: 'She Was Just My Daughter Yesterday,' Says Dad

Nepal chooses a 2-year-old girl as new living goddess worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists

New York Post

Nepal chooses 2-year-old girl as new living goddess worshipped by both Hindus, Buddhists

República

Newly appointed Kumari Aaryatara assumes her throne

Daily Mail

Toddler from Nepal is proclaimed a 'living goddess' after undergoing ancient ritual

Online Khabar

Aryatara chosen as new Kumari

The Himalayan Times

Aryatara Shakya enthroned as new Living Goddess Kumari

MINT

Nepals new living goddess is just 2 years old. Heres what her life will be like

BollywoodShaadis

Nepal's Kumari, Aryatara Shakya: Living Goddess, Isolated Childhood, Criticism From Child Activists

Awesome Holidays Nepal

Why do Nepalese Worship Kumari: The Living Goddess of Nepal

Kumari tradition from the rights perspective

ABC News

Growing up as a living goddess

dwnews

NepaliTimes

Aryatara Shakya, aged 2 years and 8 months, was formally enthroned as Nepal's new Kumari or living goddess on Tuesday during the Dashain festival, replacing 11-year-old Trishna Shakya who had served since 2017 until reaching puberty.</span

Aryatara Shakya, aged 2 years and 8 months, was formally enthroned as Nepal's new Kumari or living goddess on Tuesday during the Dashain festival, replacing 11-year-old Trishna Shakya who had served since 2017 until reaching puberty.

The selection process involved the Shakya Mahavihar Association consulting with 15 traditional monastic courtyards and working with the Guthi Sansthan and Panchang Committee over nearly two years to identify suitable candidates.</span

The selection process involved the Shakya Mahavihar Association consulting with 15 traditional monastic courtyards and working with the Guthi Sansthan and Panchang Committee over nearly two years to identify suitable candidates.

Candidates must meet strict physical requirements including unblemished skin, hair, eyes and teeth, plus pass 32 body perfections and undergo courage tests involving sacrificed buffalos and masked dancers to prove fearlessness.</span

Candidates must meet strict physical requirements including unblemished skin, hair, eyes and teeth, plus pass 32 body perfections and undergo courage tests involving sacrificed buffalos and masked dancers to prove fearlessness.

Family members carried Aryatara from her home in Itumbahal through Kathmandu streets to Kumari Ghar temple palace, where devotees touched her feet with their foreheads and offered flowers and money as signs of respect.</span

Family members carried Aryatara from her home in Itumbahal through Kathmandu streets to Kumari Ghar temple palace, where devotees touched her feet with their foreheads and offered flowers and money as signs of respect.

The new Kumari will live in isolation at the temple palace with few selected playmates and limited outside visits, though recent changes allow private tutoring, television access and internet facilities within the residence.</span

The new Kumari will live in isolation at the temple palace with few selected playmates and limited outside visits, though recent changes allow private tutoring, television access and internet facilities within the residence.

Former Kumaris often struggle with normal life transitions and face marriage difficulties due to folklore beliefs, though the government now provides retired living goddesses with monthly pensions of approximately $110.</span

Former Kumaris often struggle with normal life transitions and face marriage difficulties due to folklore beliefs, though the government now provides retired living goddesses with monthly pensions of approximately $110.

Nepal Enthrones 2-Year-Old Girl as New Living Goddess

Nepal: NewEnthrones 2-yearYear-oldOld girlGirl chosen as New Living Goddess

Articles on this story

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters

Nepal Enthrones 2-Year-Old Girl as New Living Goddess

Nepal: NewEnthrones 2-yearYear-oldOld girlGirl chosen as New Living Goddess

Articles on this story

Sign Up for Our Free NewslettersSign Up for Our Free Newsletters

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters