The atheist usually argue who has seen god and goddess ? It is one and only in Nepal that you can witness the real living god and goddess. She is popularly known as Kumari. Yes, visit  Basantapur Durbar Sqaure to experience this awe inspiring moment of seeing the living goddess kumari.

The famous Kumari House is situated at the South end of Basantapur Durbar Square. It was built in 1757AD by Jaya Prakash Mall, the last Malla King of Nepal. Built in typical Newari Monastery design, the house has an artistic lattice windows with peacock carved on them. The house enclosed a rectangular courtyard with Buddhist stupa in the center. Here, the devotees and tourists are found waiting to have  a glimpse of Kumari. An opportunity to see the Kumari is considered as a mascot.

Kumari, the living goddess is the best testimony of the religious tolerance that prevails in Nepal. While kumari represents the clan goddess of Nepalese Hindu King, the entire rituals is carried out by the Buddhist family. As such, the Kumari girl also has to be strictly from Buddhist "Shakya" family who are believed to be from the family line of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha.

"Kumari" means a virgin girl not yet in age of menstruation. So, as the kumari girl grows over 10 years, the team of priests goes for selecting a new one.

Being kumari means to accept a lot of restriction and rituals. As such, kumari lives in a house specially built for this tradition in 1757 AD. The kumari comes out into the world only once a year to observe local festival Indrajatra. During the festival, Kumari appears in her traditional attire that defines her divinity. Likewise, Kumari has regular life that includes daily Puja, to give blessing to the devotees and to appear once awhile at the Balcony window for the curious Tourists.

It is a great privilege and an honor for the parents to get their daughter selected for Kumari. Despite the fact that this does make the priest's job easy for selecting new Kumari, the procedure itself is not less rigorous because the Kumari is supposed to have 32 auspicious qualities that includes her beautiful eye lashes like of a cow, an attractive look like of princess, long black hair, well proportionate figure and sonorous voice etc. Apart from that, she should be very brave to be alone at Taleju Temple amidst the 108 beheaded water buffalos and goats. She also should have an aura that reflects the mighty goddess Taleju that she embodies.

Since Kumari is worshipped as the manifestation of Taleju or Tulaja Bhavani, she is deeply revered and it is ensured that her every "whims" are fulfilled. Hundreds of local Buddhist and Hindus devotees await to touch her feet and offer gifts. The king himself visits Kumari once a year to touch her feet and get blessed.

 The devotees also notice her gestures for the oracular message. When the Gorkha King Prithivi Narrayan Shah invaded Kathmandu in 1768 AD and captured, he immediately went to get blessing from Kumari. Goddess Kumari also blessed him as the new king of Kathmandu. This convinced the citizen that it is the will of Goddess Herself to have a new king for Kathmandu and of course they acquiesced.

There is a common belief that if a kumari marries, her husband will be ill-affected and destined to early death. So, people shun kumari girl to marry. To some extends it makes sense that Kumari is used to getting her every whims fulfilled. This might be a real trouble for her Husband!!!!!

--Hari Sharan Bhuju