New living godess :Nepal govermernment notifies

" Nepal's new Maoist-led government has appointed a 6-year-old girl as a "living goddess" in a town near Kathmandu, for the first time snapping the link between the ancient ritual and the ousted monarchy. For...

Nepal's goddesses: religious abuse?

Nepal's living goddess, or Kumari, is worshiped by Hindus and Buddhists. Girls as young as age 4 are selected.

Nepal's living goddesses: child slavery or cultural diversity?

Nepal's highest court is wrestling with a local custom whereby prepubescent girls are selected to serve in religious temples as incarnations of the Hindu goddess Taleju. This is an intriguing story from the...