President scraps farewell from five virgins

Nepal's head of state on Monday dispensed with a centuries-old tradition of having five virgin girls bid him goodbye as he left on a foreign visit to India, an aide said.

Heads of state in Nepal have traditionally been seen off by five pre-pubescent girls representing the Hindu goddesses Durga, Sarshwati, Laxmi, Radha and Annapurna who perform religious rituals to bring success.



They are presented with traditional marigold garlands in a ceremony designed to bring good fortune to the departing leader.

But Rajendra Dahal, spokesman for President Ram Baran Yadav, said: "The president felt sorry for the students who used to have to wait outside in the sun for hours, so he scrapped the tradition."