╌>

Life of a Kumari Goddess: The Young Girls Whose Feet Never Touch Ground

community » Discussions » Category » Religion & Ethics » Discussion » Life of a Kumari Goddess: The Young Girls Whose Feet Never Touch Ground
  

Category:  Religion & Ethics

Via:  community  •  7 years ago  •  3 comments

Life of a Kumari Goddess: The Young Girls Whose Feet Never Touch Ground


Tags

jrDiscussion - desc
[]
 
Larry Hampton
Professor Quiet
link   seeder  Larry Hampton    7 years ago
0:16
The Kumari goddess is a very honored deity in Nepal.
0:25
Kumari is manifested in a young girl’s body.
0:47
Since the Malla Dynasty the three cities [of Katmandu Valley]
0:49
have each had their own Kumari.
0:52
It is a tradition that has been going on for a long time.
0:55
During the monarchy system, the queen would make the selection.
1:02
But now the head priest takes [the children] and selects one.
1:08
From what we had heard, they keep them in a dark room
1:12
and perform prayers rituals, which they don’t show us.
1:17
They look for the signs, and look at the qualities and make their selection.
1:19
It is called Battis Lakshanas (32 physical perfections).
1:20
It is called Battis Lakshanas (32 physical perfections).
1:21
It is called Battis Lakshanas (32 physical perfections).
1:25
My daughter became the Kumari goddess at age five.
1:28
Now it's been two years.
1:31
Nepal’s goddess is fluid and all encompassing. She manifests herself in Kumari.
1:33
For centuries, Kumari have watched over Kathmandu. Many of the country’s leaders still seek their blessing to legitimize their rule.
1:39
To maintain her purity, Kumari’s feet must never touch the ground, and she may only speak to her immediate family.
1:44
She is dismissed when she gets her period, and a new Kumari must be selected.
2:00
I used to work as a craftman. Now I have to watch over things here.
2:04
I did not have any desire to keep my daughter as Kumari.
2:08
It was destined for us.
2:26
The challenge is that she cannot go anywhere.
2:31
She sits there if people come visit and worship.
2:34
She is only allowed to talk to her family.
2:37
She often talks to us. She is happy.
2:49
My name is Bipsa Bajracharya
2:51
and I am Kumari’s elder sister.
2:54
I help her with her homework
2:57
while she is inside she cannot have contact with others,
3:01
so I help her to have contact with others.
3:07
She was very interest in eyeliner;
3:10
she was interested in flowers;
3:12
she was very interested in listening to the stories of goddess
3:15
from a young age.
3:19
She sometimes read the story books. It's about the princess....
3:23
Cinderella, Snow White and that one.
3:27
She also likes to play the violin.
3:40
Kumari only leaves her temple to watch over religious festivals in Kathmandu.
3:46
One of the most important is Bhoto Jatra,
3:48
the culmination of a month long festival for rain and compassion.
3:55
When Napalis have festivals,
3:58
everyone comes with their children to bow.
5:02
I'm Sumika Boyrachasya;
5:04
I am the former Kumari of Patan.
5:09
Maybe around 11-years-old I had my first periods,
5:14
all the world turning upside down for me.
5:16
It was a bit sad moment for the whole family and for me as well.
5:22
So after that like, like I used to continue, so no more poojas,
5:27
no more visitors, no more like going on out to festivals
5:31
and life just went in a slow pace.
5:36
I was the first Kumari who got education.
5:39
I work in a communications organization.
5:42
I'm doing my masters study as well.
5:44
So, I'm balancing both my work and my studies too.
5:50
Since I know I was a Kumari every moment was precious,
5:56
so it was never difficult for me.
6:04
I don’t expect people to respect me.
6:06
I don’t like go around and say I'm Kumari and you have to respect me.
6:10
I don’t do that. It's the feeling of the people,
6:13
if they feel they can, if they don’t I don’t mind.
6:23
The tradition has changed a lot from past till me being Kumari.
6:27
So, I don’t have big dreams, but let’s hope.
6:30
I have big hopes,
6:31
so like the field I'm working then I do have big hopes in that field too.
6:52
After becoming a goddess, there aren’t any challenges in itself.
6:56
That’s the thing.
6:57
You’d call that her power.
7:01
I made my daughter Kumari for the sake of honor
7:04
out of respect to this age old tradition.
7:12
It will be difficult to make the transition back into society,
7:18
but we are already working towards that.
7:22
I have time to set everything up.
7:25
She is already studying so that,
7:28
eventually when she goes to school, it will not be that hard.
 
 
 
Enoch
Masters Quiet
link   Enoch  replied to  Larry Hampton   7 years ago

Dear Friend Larry Hampton: Thanks for sharing this most interesting article.

I was not aware of this.

Peace and Abundant Blessings Always to You and Yours.

Enoch.

 
 
 
Kavika
Professor Principal
link   Kavika     7 years ago

Very interesting article Larry.

I was unaware of this and found it to be most interesting.

 
 
You must be logged in to post a comment

Who is online