The final selection process certainly isn't American Idol. Taleju is a powerful goddess who demands blood sacrifices. Remaining candidates are placed in a dark room filled with the heads of slaughtered water buffaloes. Candles flicker in the eye sockets and the floor is slick with buffalo blood. The girl who crosses the room without becoming frightened is judged to have Taleju in her. In order to be the Royal Kumari, one must pass through several tests. The girl must possess 32 attributes of perfection of the goddess. She must be free from any disfigurement; she must have a perfect health and no serious illnesses (especially small pox). She must be a virgin with an unblemished body. She must have prominent black eyes and gorgeous expressive eyes, and white teeth without any gaps. She must have a sonorous voice, long slender arms, delicate and soft hands and feet, and straight hair curled towards the right side. The most important requirement is that the girl should not have her first menstruation. There is a religious belief that after the menstruation, Kumari loses her divine power and is returned back to life as an ordinary girl. Menstruation is seen as a mark of impurity in the Nepalese society. Not only menstruation even a minor scratch that bleeds will make her unfit for worship.
Such an image of the virgin goddess Kumari has become a debatable issue among human rights activists and feminists. Though a strong cultural belief of such a religious country like Nepal is thought to be difficult to change awareness on the issue gives the indication that cultural transition is taking place leading toward cultural transformation.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
How does one become a Kumari? Well, the story starts about 300 years ago. The most popular legend says that Nepal's king made inappropriate comments to Taleju, his beautiful guardian goddess. Furious at his rudeness, Taleju vanished, vowing only to return in the body of young girl. Taleju further vowed to always leave the girl's body when it bled, either from an injury or the girl's first menstruation.
Each morning attendants dress Preeti in a gold and red brocade gown They plaster her forehead with vermillion powder before placing the third eye of wisdom in the middle. Her eyes are lined with black kohl. All morning Preeti must sit cross-legged on her lion throne receiving worshippers. Servants hover over her and serve only the best food.
It is believed that men who marry ex-goddesses will die within six months of the marriage. The girls are believed to retain some of their divine power and superstition has it, that this power can be fatal to a husband. And even those who do not believe so think that a girl who, for years, has been the object of male veneration and has had every whim satisfied must have difficulties in adapting to the new role of a humble wife.
Each morning attendants dress Preeti in a gold and red brocade gown They plaster her forehead with vermillion powder before placing the third eye of wisdom in the middle. Her eyes are lined with black kohl. All morning Preeti must sit cross-legged on her lion throne receiving worshippers. Servants hover over her and serve only the best food.
It is believed that men who marry ex-goddesses will die within six months of the marriage. The girls are believed to retain some of their divine power and superstition has it, that this power can be fatal to a husband. And even those who do not believe so think that a girl who, for years, has been the object of male veneration and has had every whim satisfied must have difficulties in adapting to the new role of a humble wife.
living goddess
I found this article while searching my hometown on webfeat.This article also includes some excerpts written by Ali Jaafar and Jon Burbank.
Nepal is the only country having living goddess- Kumari. Kumari is a Nepali word meaning ‘virgin goddess.’ From the time immemorial, the practice of worshipping an ordinary, pre-pubescent girl as a source of supreme power has been an integral part of both Hinduism and Buddhism. The Kumari, or living goddesses, are chosen for their physical and mental purity and are required to live in a temple, blessing believers until they reach puberty, at which point they are allowed to retire and live a normal life. You can also see Wikipedia for details.
Nepal is the only country having living goddess- Kumari. Kumari is a Nepali word meaning ‘virgin goddess.’ From the time immemorial, the practice of worshipping an ordinary, pre-pubescent girl as a source of supreme power has been an integral part of both Hinduism and Buddhism. The Kumari, or living goddesses, are chosen for their physical and mental purity and are required to live in a temple, blessing believers until they reach puberty, at which point they are allowed to retire and live a normal life. You can also see Wikipedia for details.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
