Trending Video: Who is Goddess Kumari? Everything You Must Know!

The Indra Jatra festival in Nepal has captured global attention, especially with the spotlight on a young girl known as Kumari, celebrated as a living goddess. Trending videos and photos from the festival showcase the Kumari being paraded through the streets of Kathmandu on a beautifully ornate chariot, offering blessings to devotees and leaving many around the world curious about her significance.

So, who is Kumari? The tradition of Kumari worship is a blend of Hindu and Buddhist beliefs, with the Kumari symbolizing the divine feminine power. Selected from the Shakya caste of the Newar community, the Kumari must meet strict physical and spiritual criteria, often being chosen at the tender age of three or four. Once chosen, she leaves her family to reside in the Kumari Ghar, a temple-palace in Kathmandu, where she is treated as a goddess until she reaches puberty.

The Selection Process The process of selecting a Kumari is rigorous. She must be free from physical flaws, possess specific characteristics that align with goddess-like traits, and endure various tests to prove her strength and calm under pressure. Her role is sacred, as she is believed to be an incarnation of the goddess Taleju.

Her Role During Festivals Kumari rarely leaves her temple residence except during significant festivals like Indra Jatra, where she is taken out in an ornate wooden chariot. As the chariot is pulled through the streets, devotees rush to catch a glimpse of her and receive her blessings, believing it brings good fortune.

This ancient tradition, while deeply revered, is evolving as Nepalese society balances modern views with its historical roots. Yet, the Kumari remains a central figure in Nepal’s cultural identity, symbolizing the divine feminine power and the enduring heritage of the Newar community.