KATHMANDU, Nepal, July 3 Ten-year-old Sajani Shakya's visit to the United States apparently tainted her purity, forcing her to give up her the title of Nepal's "Living Goddess."
Sajani had been worshipped as one of the Himalayan kingdom's three highest ranking living goddesses, an ancient tradition among the Hindus and Buddhists which selects such qualified Kumaris who haven't reached puberty, for worship.
Sajani allegedly upset temple elders by visiting the United States to promote a documentary, the BBC reported Tuesday. The tradition forbids Kumaris of her rank from leaving Nepal so they can continue to bless devotees and attend festivals.
The BBC report said temple elders felt her U.S. trip had tarnished her purity. They will now look for another Kumari to fill Sajani's place.
Living Goddesses are picked after a rigorous search. A Kumari must be between the ages of 2 and 4 at the time of selection and must belong to the same Buddhist clan, the report said.
A girl must have 32 attributes to become a Kumari, among them she must have thighs like those of a deer and a conch shell-like neck, the report said. She leads a secluded life in her palace until reaching puberty.
Copyright 2007 by UPI
