Nepalese mark ‘Kumari Puja’ by worshipping pre-pubescent girls

Sep 08, 2022

Kathmandu (Nepal), Sep 08 (ANI): Decked up in red-coloured finery, several young girls under the age of twelve lined up as people gathered to worship them to mark 'Kumari Puja' at Basantapur Durbar Square in Kathmandu. It is a tradition under which the pre-pubescent girls are considered the manifestation of Goddess Taleju. Taleju is the Nepalese name for Goddess Durga. The ritualistic tradition is held annually in the Himalayan nation. It is significant among the Newari community and is celebrated to seek the blessings of the Goddess to ward off bad luck and diseases. Nepal has a unique tradition of worshipping ‘Kumari’ the Living Goddess who is appointed at certain intervals of time following a strict selection process.