On October 1, 2025, the ancient streets of Kathmandu were alive with anticipation and celebration as Aryatara Shakya, a girl just two years and eight months old, was carried from her family’s home to the Kumari Ghar—the palace where she will now reside as Nepal’s newest living goddess. This centuries-old tradition, revered by both Hindus and Buddhists in the Himalayan nation, unfolded during Dashain, Nepal’s longest and most significant Hindu festival, which symbolizes the triumph of good over evil.
The selection of a Kumari, or “living goddess,” is a momentous event in Nepalese society. According to The Associated Press and corroborated by multiple outlets including India.com and Times Now, Aryatara was chosen as the new Kumari after her predecessor, Trishna Shakya, reached puberty—a milestone that, by tradition, returns the goddess to mortal status and necessitates the search for a new vessel. The Kumari is always a prepubescent girl, selected from the Shakya clan of the indigenous Newar community in Kathmandu Valley, typically between the ages of two and four. The selection process is rigorous: candidates must possess unblemished skin, perfect teeth, striking eyes, and, notably, an absence of fear—especially of the dark.
The rituals surrounding Aryatara’s enthronement were as grand as they were intimate. Crowds lined the narrow alleys, hoping to catch a glimpse of the new goddess. Some pressed flowers into her tiny hands, while others bowed to touch her feet with their foreheads—a gesture regarded as the highest form of reverence in Nepalese tradition, as noted by Times Now. Aryatara, dressed in crimson attire with her hair tied in a topknot and a third eye painted on her forehead, was paraded through the city before entering the palace that will be her home for the next several years.
Her father, Ananta Shakya, expressed both pride and awe at his daughter’s transformation. “She was just my daughter yesterday, but today she is a goddess,” he told the Associated Press. He recounted a dream his wife had during pregnancy, in which she saw herself as a goddess—an omen that convinced the family Aryatara was destined for something extraordinary. This sense of destiny is not uncommon among families in the Shakya clan, who often compete for the honor of having their daughters chosen, as the role brings elevated social status within both the clan and the broader community.
The timing of Aryatara’s selection was especially significant. Tuesday, October 1, marked the eighth day of Dashain, a 15-day festival that brings Kathmandu to a standstill. Schools and offices were closed, and families gathered to celebrate. The city’s festive spirit was further heightened by the ongoing Indra Jatra festival, another major Hindu celebration that precedes Dashain and features the Kumari in a prominent role—carried on a chariot pulled by devotees through the streets. This year, the outgoing Kumari, 11-year-old Trishna Shakya, made her final appearance before being quietly carried out of the palace on a palanquin, as tradition dictates.
For Aryatara, life as a Kumari will be both extraordinary and secluded. The living goddess is permitted outside only a handful of times each year, primarily during festivals when she is paraded through Kathmandu to bless the faithful. Her daily life is largely confined to the palace, with just a few carefully selected playmates. According to India.com, this seclusion is both a mark of reverence and a source of isolation for the young girls, who are revered as embodiments of the goddess Taleju or Durga until they reach puberty.
The transition from goddess to ordinary girl is not without its challenges. Former Kumaris, like Trishna Shakya, often struggle to adapt to life outside the palace. They must learn household chores, attend regular schools, and navigate a world that once treated them as divine. Nepali folklore complicates matters further, with the widespread belief that men who marry former Kumaris will die young—a superstition that has led many former goddesses to remain single, as reported by The Associated Press and Times Now.
But change is afoot, even in this most traditional of institutions. In recent years, reforms have sought to ease the Kumaris’ transition back into society. According to AP and India.com, Kumaris now receive education from private tutors within the palace, and some even have access to television. The Nepalese government has also introduced a monthly pension of about $110 for former Kumaris—a sum slightly above the country’s minimum wage. These measures are designed to provide financial security and educational opportunities, recognizing the unique sacrifices and challenges faced by these young girls.
The blend of ancient ritual and modern adaptation is evident in every aspect of the Kumari tradition. While the role remains deeply spiritual—Aryatara will bless devotees, including Nepal’s president, during rituals this week—it is also increasingly shaped by contemporary values and practical concerns. The spectacle of a toddler goddess, carried through the city streets amid throngs of devotees and flashing cameras, is both timeless and strikingly current, capturing the imagination of a nation and the attention of the world.
As Nepal’s newest living goddess settles into her palace, the country continues to grapple with the balance between preserving its cultural heritage and embracing necessary reforms. Aryatara Shakya may be only two years old, but she now carries the weight of centuries of tradition on her small shoulders. For Kathmandu, her coronation is not just a religious event—it is a reflection of a society in flux, honoring the past while cautiously stepping into the future.
In the midst of Dashain’s vibrant celebrations and the city’s collective reverence, Aryatara’s story stands as a poignant reminder of Nepal’s enduring cultural identity—and the evolving journey of its living goddesses.
