2-year-old chosen as Nepal’s new living goddess, worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists

Two-year-old Aryatara Shakya has been chosen as Nepal’s living goddess, continuing a unique tradition revered by Hindus and Buddhists

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Nepal’s newly appointed living goddess, Kumari Aryatara Shakya, is carried by her father as they walk towards Kumari Ghar, the temple palace where she will be living in Kathmandu, Nepal on Tuesday. Photo: AP

Published: 6:38pm, 30 Sep 2025Updated: 7:01pm, 30 Sep 2025

A two-year-old girl chosen as Nepal’s new living goddess was carried by family members from their home in an alley in Kathmandu to a temple palace on Tuesday during the country’s longest and most significant Hindu festival.

Aryatara Shakya, at 2 years and 8 months, was chosen as the new Kumari or “virgin goddess,” replacing the incumbent who is considered by tradition to become a mere mortal upon reaching puberty.

Living goddesses are worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists. The girls are selected between the ages of 2 and 4 and are required to have unblemished skin, hair, eyes and teeth. They should not be afraid of the dark.

During religious festivals, the living goddess is wheeled around on a chariot pulled by devotees. They always wear red, pin up their hair in topknots and a “third eye” is painted on their forehead.

Family, friends and devotees paraded Shakya through the streets of Kathmandu on Tuesday, before entering the temple palace which will be her home for several years.

Nepal’s newly appointed Living Goddess, Aryatara Shakya, looks on in her private home. The Living Goddess is a young pre-pubescent girl considered an incarnation of the Hindu Goddess of Power, Kali. Photo: EPA

Devotees lined up to touch the girls’ feet with their foreheads, the highest sign of respect among Hindus in the Himalayan nation, and offered her flowers and money. The new Kumari will bless devotees, including the president, on Thursday.

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2-year-old chosen as Nepal’s new living goddess, worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Two-year-old Aryatara Shakya has been chosen as Nepal’s living goddess, continuing a unique tradition revered by Hindus and Buddhists

Two-year-old Aryatara Shakya has been chosen as Nepal’s living goddess, continuing a unique tradition revered by Hindus and Buddhists