KATHMANDU (AFP) - The three-year-old daughter of a Nepalese
watch repairer became a "living goddess" on Tuesday after being
approved by the country's new atheist government. (atheist
govt???)
Despite Nepal being a Maoist republic after the monarchy was
unseated in May, the centuries-old tradition of worshipping a young
virgin as the living embodiment of a powerful Hindu goddess has
survived.
Matina Shakya was chosen after consultation with Buddhist
priests, community leaders and officials who will look after her,"
said Achyut Pokharel, a member of the government-run trust that
maintains the tradition.
"She became Royal Kumari after a series of pujas (religious
ceremonies) on Tuesday at the auspicious time of 11:39 am,"
Pokharel said, referring to the moment chosen by astrologers as the
luckiest for the Kumari succession.
Dozens of people in Kathmandu's medieval quarter joined in the
procession as the young girl was carried by family members from her
home to the ornate palace where she will be confined for several
years.
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