In most communities around the world, goddesses are symbolic of a spiritual world. But in Nepal, these sacred females live and breathe.
Handpicked from birth, these pre-pubescent girls are known as Kumaris and are believed to be incarnations of the Hindu Goddess of Power, Kali.
From the moment they are chosen for their role, and pass a rigorous 32-stage test, these living goddesses are propelled to immortal-like status, deemed to be protectors from evil by thousands of adoring Hindus and Buddhists. But for these girls, it is not just a name and status that they are given – their whole life changes.
Kumaris – which means virgin in Nepalese – are forced to leave their homes and are hidden away in temples as a living deity, only able to leave when they are required at festivals and processions as the subject of worship.
These Kumaris are even considered too special to walk, instead being carried in chariots, thrones and other people’s arms – sometimes meaning they do not learn to walk until they retire.
And the girls are banned from going to school or taking part in day-to-day society, only appearing outside their homes or temples up to 13 times a year.
But once they reach puberty, everything changes for these Kumaris. After menstruation starts, the girls are put through a 12-day ‘Gufa’ ritual, after which their life as a Kumari ends – and they return to an ordinary life that they have never known.
Kumaris are chosen as infants in Nepal to become living goddesses, who are then worshipped by thousands of Hindus and Buddhists until they reach puberty.
Kamaris are often worshipped by a devotee at festivals during one of their nine public appearances throughout the year. Once the Kumaris start menstruating, they retire from their goddess-like status.
After a 12-day ‘Gufa’ ritual, the Kumari will go to a nearby river, untie her hair and wash off a third eye which has been painted on her forehead.
The Gufu ceremony is a grand occasion and marks the start of a time when the child can go to school, return to their families and live in public, after years of being unable to do all those things.
The goddesses live in temples and other enclosed areas and cannot be seen in public, apart from during ceremonies and festivities. Kumaris, which means virgin in Nepalese, are carried their entire lives because they are considered too special for their feet to touch the ground.
The Kumaris spend their public appearances sitting in front of devotees or their offering. This ceremony was a special puja at Kumari Ghar in Patan, NepalDuring the year, the Kumaris are placed on traditional. thrones as worshippers take part in festivals to pay their respects to the living goddesses.
Kumaris are painted in traditional artwork before they are worshipped at different events and processions throughout the year.
During the 12-day ‘Gufa’ ceremony, the Kumari will be kept in a closed room, where female friends and relatives are allowed to visit. The Kumaris are carried by their families to the different ceremonies but are never allowed to walk themselves – often leading to them having weak legs when they retire
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