Nepal's controversial living goddess retires

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Nepal's controversial "living goddess" retires

By Gopal Sharma Mon Mar 3, 2:49 AM ET

KATHMANDU (Reuters) - A controversial young Nepali girl

worshipped by many Buddhists and Hindus as a Kumari, or "living

goddess", has given up her divine position following a request

from her family, an official said on Sunday.

The 11-year-old Sajani Shakya was revered for nine years as

the Kumari of the ancient temple-town of Bhaktapur, near

Kathmandu, in a centuries-old tradition.

"She is no more a Kumari," said Dipak Pandey, a senior

official of the state-run Trust Corporation that oversees the

cultural affairs in the deeply religious nation.

Pandey said Sajani's family wanted to perform their own

religious rituals which required her to give up her divine

position and rejoin her family.

Kumaris traditionally retire when they reach the age

menstruation.

Last year, Sajani made international headlines after she

visited the United States to promote a film by British company

about the ancient practice.

Some religious authorities criticised the trip, saying it

was against tradition. They even threatened to strip her of the

title, but the threat was later withdrawn.

Under the Kumari tradition a girl selected from a Buddhist

Newar family through a rigorous cultural process becomes the

"living goddess".

She is considered as an incarnation of the powerful deity

Kali and is revered by the Hindus and Buddhists until she

menstruates after which she must return to the family and a new

one is chosen.

"We are trying to find a replacement for Sajani," Pandey

said.

Some human rights activists have petitioned the Supreme

Court to end the practice saying it denies the girl her normal

life.

The apex court is yet to deliver a judgment.

(Editing by Sanjeev Miglani)

Reuters Photo:

Sajani Shakya, 11, the controversial young Nepali girl worshipped by many Buddhists and Hindus as...

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