Thursday, 16 October 2008

Nepal Living Godness







Matina Shakya is held by her father Pratap Man Shakya after she was appointed as the new living goddess or Kumari in Kathmandu October 7, 2008. Authorities in Nepal enthroned a three-year-old girl as a new Kumari, or the main "living goddess", on Tuesday, in a centuries-old ritual the country's new Maoist-led coalition has allowed to continue.


Nepal's newly appointed living goddess Matine Shakya - known as Kumari - attends the traditional ceremony in Kathmandu. Nepal's president has backed the choice of Shakya to be worshipped as a living goddess - upholding the age-old tradition despite the Maoist government's atheist stance.



Matani Shakya, 3, newly appointed 'kumari,' or living goddess in Nepal, looks on as farewell rituals are performed before taking her to kumari house in Katmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008. Selected between the ages of 2 and 4, living goddesses are worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists. Devotees touch the girls' feet with their foreheads, the highest sign of respect among Hindus in Nepal. During religious festivals the girls are wheeled around on a chariot pulled by devotees.

A relative carries Matina Shakya through the streets after she was appointed as the new living goddess or Kumari in Kathmandu on October 7, 2008.

Matina Shakya, after being appointed as the new living goddess or Kumari, is seen with her mother Sunita Shakya in Kathmandu.

Relatives show Matina Shakya to the waiting crowd after she was appointed as the new living goddess or Kumari in Kathmandu.

Matina Shakya with her mother Sunita Shakya after being appointed new living Goddess or Kumari in Kathmandu.

Matani Shakya, 3, newly appointed 'kumari,' or living goddess in Nepal, is greeted by a crowd as she is taken to kumari house in Katmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008. During religious festivals the girls are wheeled around on a chariot pulled by devotees.

Matani Shakya, 3, newly appointed 'kumari,' or living goddess in Nepal, looks on as farewell rituals are performed before taking her to kumari house in Katmandu, Nepal.

Matina Shakya is taken to her temple after being appointed as the new living Goddess or Kumari in Kathmandu.


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