RELIEF FOR NEPAL’S ‘LIVING GODDESSES’, GOVT OKAYS MONTHLY PENSION
KATHMANDU: Retirement has its perks. Former Kumaris of Kathmandu, pre- pubescent girls worshipped as living goddesses and removed from their position once they reach puberty, would agree.
The metropolitan council of Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu Metropolitan City office, has decided to provide retirement benefits to these former living goddesses as part of its fresh budget allocation. Beginning mid-July, the start of Nepal’s fiscal year, eight former Kumaris would receive a monthly sum of NRs 10,000 (Rs 6,250) as pension.
“This is a gesture to extend our tribute to the for mer Kumaris. This is also an initiative to preserve our cultural heritage,” ‘The Kathmandu Post’ quoted KMC’s Chief Executive Officer Laxman Aryal.
His office has also earmarked NRs 12 lakh (Rs 7.5 lakh) from KMC’s heritage preservation fund for various welfare schemes meant for the former living goddesses of Kathmandu.
“We hail the KMC decision as a great step towards cultural preservation,” Gautam Shakya, chairman of Indrajatra Management Committee, the annual procession where the Kumari is taken across town, told the newspaper.Besides monthly allowances Shakya stressed on the need to provide education, training and job opportunities to the former living goddesses. Kathmandu’s Kumari gets a monthly sum of NRs 40,000 (Rs 25,000) from the government till she is worshipped in that capacity. But the sum is withdrawn once she is removed.Started in 17th century by the Malla rulers of Kathmandu Valley, the tradition of worshipping pre-pubescent girls has continued even after abolition of monarchy in Nepal.
These girls from the Newari community are chosen based on a variety of factors and are worshipped till they attain puberty.
The Kumari of Kathmandu is most important of all living goddesses in Nepal followed by Kumaris of Patan and Bhaktapur, two other places in Kathmandu Valley where they are worshipped. While the Kumaris of Lalitpur and Kathmandu stay in ‘palaces’ and have restrictions on their public outings, the Kumari of Bhaktapur is allowed to stay with her parents and can go to school or venture out on her own.