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.
- javascript:void(0)
NOAA News Releases
my books
Welcome to nepal blog
Welcome to Nepal
1 comment:
I finally had a chance to read your blogs on the Kumari. Thanks so much for posting them! I had heard of Teleju before- by different names and had wondered about Nepalese Kumari. I think it's amazing that you still have these practices and beliefs. Whether or not one agrees with the treatment of the girl chosen to be Kumari, the beliefs about why there is a living goddess and that she could be made flesh is really very interesting. Other countries' past practices around their goddesses have largely faded away, but you still practice yours, which is becoming more and more of a rarity. Nice photos, too!
Post a Comment