The Living Goddess
The Living Goddess should possess following 50 characteristics:
1) The Living Goddess should not enjoy eggs or meat
2) She should not enjoy food left by others
3) She should not touch any leather items
4) She should not be touched by any lady during menstruation period
5) She should not cry or shout
6) She should be the first one to enjoy food when it is ready
7) She should not take food from other's hand
8) She should not be beaten or said anything
9) Only the Living Goddess and the Priest should be inside the room during Nitya Pooja (Daily rituals)
10) Living Goddess should sleep alone
11) Living Goddess should not be given any medicine if she is sick
12) Normally she never falls sick. If by chance she is sick, special ritual known as Chhama Pooja (special ritual) should be performed
13) Everyday she should do make up and stay
14) When she is on her throne, she should not speak
15) She should be addressed as "Dyo Maiju"
16) During her tenure, she should never be face to face with others
17) Only the Girls living in Kwa Bahal, Mu Bahal and Itumbahal in
18) Girls above 3 years are eligible to be a Living Goddess and they will be there till the age of about 12 years
19) If the Living Goddess menstruates before the normal time, another Living Goddess must be selected within 11 days.
20) A girl with smiling face, healthy, beautiful should be selected and then she is taken to the Royal Priest. Wife of the Royal Priest will keep her naked and checks whether some marks are there on her body or not. If she has no marks on her body, she will have Tika from the Main Priest and will be selected
21) Parents of the newly selected Living Goddess, Administrator of the Guthi Sansthan (Organization which looks after religious and cultural matters) go to the
22) Kumari will have an audience with the King and she offers coin to the King
23) Once the King accepts her as Kumari, she is taken to the Hanuman Dhoka Palace Mool Chowk (Main Courtyard) and then kept in the throne in Kumari Ghar (Kumari House)
24) She is allowed to come out only 13 times a year:
a) 4 times during the Indrajatra Festival
b) 2 times to visit Taleju temple during Dashain
c) Beginning of Swasthani Brat
d) One Day before Janai Poornima up to Hanuman Dhoka
e) Up to Taleju temple during Chaite Dashain (Mini Dashain)
f) During White Machhendra Nath Festival up to Lagan Tole
g) Up to New Road Gate during Ghode Jatra (Horse Festival)
h) Up to Bhagwan Bahal on the next day of Janai Poornima
i) Up to Macchendra Bahal on the occasion of the Religious Bath of White Machhnedra Nath
25) She should live on the second floor of the Kumari Ghar
26) Bhairab, Kumar and Ganesh should lead the Kumari when she goes out during Kumari Chariot festival
27) 8 people helps to carry the Kumari chariot and this work is done on contract basis
28) During her tenure normally she receives:
a) During her tenure: Rs 6000 per month
b) Scholarship: Rs 1000.00 per month
c) For study (from the Palace): Rs 3000.00 per month
d) Later on, as pension: Rs 3000.00
e) For Bel Bibah: Rs 1000.00 (one time)
f) Marriage Expenditure: Rs 10,000.00
g) Dresses and other materials are provided by the Guthi Sansthan
29) She should be neat and clean, wearing red and yellow dress
30) No attraction towards the men
31) Having father and mother
32) Having round forehead
33) Separate eye brow
34) Having blue and black eyes
35) Low voice
36) Beautifully done make up (16 Sringar)
37) Having healthy body
38) Having no marks on the skin
39) Having no bad smell from any part of the body
40) Having perfect teeth
41) Having no hairs on her body
42) Having black and oily hair
43) Able to listen properly
44) Face like that of a lion
45) Healthy cheeks and nails
46) Lengthy fingers in hands and feet
47) Having proper and normal steps
48) Courageous and peaceful nature
49) Having bright and smiley face
50) Having normal breast
In : Nepal: Festivals and Cultural Events
