Monday, March 03, 2008

Nepal's living goddess retires

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 yesterday.

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 They even threatened to strip her of the title, but the threat was later withdrawn.

No comments: