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International report

Kumaris, the living godesses in Nepal

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As part of our series looking at aspects of life in Nepal which don't normally make the headlines, today we hear how pre-pubescent girls are selected as Living Goddesses. Known as Kumaris, there are three of them in Nepal and they have little contact with the outside world. They retire at the age of 12 or with the onset of puberty. In this report, a former royal Kumari, Rashmila Shakya, talks about the challenge of re-integrating into society after being treated as a goddess for eight years.

Kumari "the living goddess" on the eve of the indrajatra festival
Kumari "the living goddess" on the eve of the indrajatra festival Manjari Shrestha/Flickr
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