The
Living Goddesses
Kumari
Nepal, the only Hindu Kingdom in the world retains
many traditions and cultures of ancient times. One
of the more endearing traditions is that of worshipping
the Kumari or the Living Goddess.
Genesis
In 1200 AAD, King Arideva assumed the title of Malla
and the dynasty that he started ruled the Kathmandu
Valley for a period of 568 years. It is said that
during the early years of MalIa rule peace and prosperity
prevailed. Though the Mallas were Vaishnavites and
Shivaites, they had tolerance for other religions
also. A Malla king is supposed to have been in the
habit of enjoying games of dice with Taleju, the
Mother Goddess and patron of the Malla royal family.
It is said that she would in the dice playing. Once,
it so happened that the king in a moment of distraction,
cast Ii lustful eye on Taleju. Ina fit of fury the
Mother Goddess castigated the king and announced
that she would never appear again to play dice with
him. The king realising his folly, begged forgiveness
and entreated the Goddess to return to the palace
as usual. The Goddess Taleju consented to return,
but never to play dice again and only to ensure
protection to the royal lineage. Thus, she would
be present dwelling in the human presence of a young
pre-pubescent girl.
This gave rise to the tradition of Kumari worship
as the guardians of not only the royalty but also
the entire nation. The Malla kings built a special
home for her outside his palace, today known as
the Kumari Bahal to the Newaris, and Kumari Ghar
to the general population. Kumari Bahal is situated
in the Kathmandu Durbar Square very close to the
palace of the former Malla Rulers of Kathmandu.
The tradition of installing an innocent girl as
the living Goddess at the Kumari Ghar is believed
to have been initiated around 888 Bikram Sambat,
corresponding to 831 AD, during the reign of Jaya
Prakash MalIa, the last of the dynasty to rule the
Kathmandu valley. Following his death the populace
started worshipping the Kumari as a Living Goddess
and started observing Kumari Jatra, the Kumari Festival.
It is interesting to note that there are other living
goddesses worshipped at Lalitpur and Bhaktapur as
well but the Kumari installed at the Kumari Ghar
at Hanuman Dhoka is the most important and well
known.
The Making of a Kumari
Though the Kumari is revered as a Hindu Goddess,
she is selected from a Newari Buddhist family, mainly
from the Bajracharya and Shakya clans. The process
though which the initial identification is done
is a closely guarded secret, but once probable future
Kumaris have been narrowed down they will have to
undergo several tests before a final selection is
made.
One of many such tests and rituals, involves solitary
confinement in a darkened room filled with severed
animal heads, skulls, demon masks and other paraphernalia
designed to frighten. The experience in this particular,
together with the added effects of eerie and mournful
sounds plus 'leaping demons in frightening masks
is designed to terrify. Normal adults are afraid
to go anywhere near this place. Selected children
who show signs of fear are rejected straight away
while those who pass this order go on to complete
other trials and ordeals before a final selection
is made. Apart from being chaste and pure, with
unblemished skin, the Kumari within whose body the
Goddess Taleju resides, must not be wanting in any
of the 32 traits and characteristics that epitomises
the highest and purest level of human existence
possible. These include such physical aspects as
colour of her eyes and hair, her voice, shape of
her teeth etc.
With the selection con1pleted, she will be dressed
in fine silk, jewellery and ornaments, helped by
the many women attendants, sequestered in her own
throne room at the Kumari House, and after special
initiation rites will be worshipped as the new Kumari
the personification of the Hindu Goddess Taleju.
During her term as the Kumari, she will be more
or less confined to her quarters, along with members
of her family of course, to venture out only during
religious festivals. The most important festival
is during the lndra Jatra, sometime in September
when she is carried around the city for three days.
It is during this time that the Kumari blesses the
King of Nepal with a Tika on the forehead, a practice
continued by King Prithvi Narayan Shah from the
Malla kings of the valley.
A girl remains in this exalted seat of veneration
as a goddess as long as she sustains no physical
injury; does not deny her status, but eventually
till the time of her first menstrual cycle.
When her term as Kumari ends, she is sent back
to her parental home, to lead a normal life. However,
the retiring Kumari does not enter her house straight
away. She has to complete various rituals, such
as the ceremonial unfolding of her plaits after
four days of leaving the Kumari Ghar. Then only
is she allowed to enter her parent's house.
In earlier times former Kumaris would lead an austere,
almost monastic existence respected and admired
by society adored by her immediate family members
for whom it used to be considered auspicious and
fortunate to provide a living goddess -but doomed
to a life of celibacy. It was then believed that
any male who dared to marry a Kumari would die after
marriage.
In recent years former Kumaris are provide for
by the government. Special grants are given and
scholarships to prestigious institutions are provided,
plus lump sum cash awards are given as a wedding
present by the religious society. Many former Kumaris
lead nonnal and very happy married lives |
