A deity's fall from the pedestal

Kathmandu: A 10-year-old Nepalese girl was stripped of her title as a living goddess because she travelled overseas to promote a documentary about the centuries-old tradition, a news report said yesterday.

Sajani Shakya had her status revoked because she broke with tradition by leaving the country, the state-run National News Agency reported, quoting Narendra Prasad Joshi, chief of the Bhaktapur Taleju Temple where Sajani is based. She is among several "Kumaris," or living goddesses, in Nepal, but as one of the kingdom's top three, is forbidden from leaving the country.

British documentary

Sajani left Nepal for the United States and other countries last month to promote a British documentary about the living goddesses of the Kathmandu Valley.

Temple officials intend to replace her when she returns to Nepal later this week, the report cited Joshi as saying.

Living goddesses are worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists. The girls are selected between the ages of 2 and 4 and are required to have perfect skin, hair, eyes and teeth, they shouldn't have scars or wounds, and shouldn't be afraid of the dark. During religious festivals the girls are wheeled around on a chariot pulled by devotees. Living goddesses usually keep their title until their first menstruation.