Monday, March 17, 2008
Nepal's controversial living goddess has given up her divine position
A controversial young Nepali girl worshipped by many Buddhists and Hindus as a Kumari, or "living goddess", has given up her divine position following a request from her family, an official said on March 1.
The 11-year-old Sajani Shakya was revered for nine years as the Kumari of the ancient temple-town of Bhaktapur, near Kathmandu, in a centuries-old tradition.
"She is no more a Kumari," said Dipak Pandey, a senior official of the state-run Trust Corporation that oversees the cultural affairs in the deeply religious nation.
Pandey said Sajani's family wanted to perform their own religious rituals which required her to give up her divine position and rejoin her family.
Kumaris traditionally retire when they reach the age menstruation.
Last year, Sajani made international head lines after she visited the United States to promote a film by British company about the ancient practice.
To read the full article, click here..
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com
The 11-year-old Sajani Shakya was revered for nine years as the Kumari of the ancient temple-town of Bhaktapur, near Kathmandu, in a centuries-old tradition.
"She is no more a Kumari," said Dipak Pandey, a senior official of the state-run Trust Corporation that oversees the cultural affairs in the deeply religious nation.
Pandey said Sajani's family wanted to perform their own religious rituals which required her to give up her divine position and rejoin her family.
Kumaris traditionally retire when they reach the age menstruation.
Last year, Sajani made international head lines after she visited the United States to promote a film by British company about the ancient practice.
To read the full article, click here..
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com
Labels: Bhaktapur, controversial young Nepali girl, Kathmandu, Nepal, Sajani Shakya, United states
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