Pictured above is the new Virgin Goddess of Nepal (a land of mysticism) whose legs will never touch the ground till she begins to menstruate.She will be worshipped as a deity by thousands of adoring Hindus and Buddhists in Nepal and will never be thought how to walk till puberty.
Previously, a Kumari Devi also known as Virgin Goddess used to be chosen/appointed by the high priests based on their physical characteristics of a slender neck like a conch shell, their gentle eyes like a cow and other special traits but the selection process has changed as every prospective Kumari must go through over 30 unusual tests to prove acceptance by the gods.
In one test, she is placed in a darkened room with severed animal heads and hideously masked dancing men, while her reaction is observed. In another test, she must correctly identify the items worn by her predecessor (similar to the ritual used in Tibet to choose a new Dalai Lama).
Once a Kumari is selected, she moves out of her home and
into the Kumari Bahal, along with her family. Here, she is treated like
royalty – she is carefully protected, appearing in public only if an
occasion demands it. For these public appearances, she is seated on a
traditional throne, as visitors come to pay their respects. Her feet
aren’t allowed to touch the ground; she is carried around on chariots or
in her caretakers’ arms at all times.
A Kumari has an entirely different lifestyle from that of
normal children. She doesn’t attend school, and doesn’t learn to walk
until she reaches puberty. Once she begins to menstruate, she goes
through a special 12-day ‘Gufa’ ritual, marking the end of her life as a
little goddess.
