In Nepal, there is such a mysterious "living goddess", she is considered to be the reincarnation of the gods, a god in the minds of the local people, and is regarded as the supreme existence by the king. At the same time, her life is also very special, she must not get off the ground with both feet when traveling, and she is regarded as a pure body that is "dusty". The existence of this "living goddess" shocked many people and also attracted widespread attention.
1. Overview of the "Living Goddess"
The "living goddess" (Kumari) is a belief in Nepalese Hindu culture that is believed to be the embodiment of a goddess. According to belief, at the beginning of each year, a girl in Nepal, usually a Buddhist child born around the age of 6, is chosen to serve as a "living goddess", who will receive the favor and protection of the gods and be responsible for the happiness of the Nepalese country and its inhabitants. Her role is equivalent to that of a "bodhisattva" in Tibetan Buddhism.
2. What conditions do I need to meet to become a "living goddess"?
During the election of the "Living Goddess", a group of 6-year-old girls were selected from different continents in Nepal. They must pass a series of interviews and tests to determine who can stand on stage and become a "living goddess." These tests include the following requirements: Girls must possess the following characteristics:
First, she must be pure at birth—meaning that her mother must be a very pure person who has neither married nor had children.
Second, her face must be absolutely clean and calm – if she has any flaws on her face, she will not be chosen.
Third, she must be the embodiment of relatives who lived at least three centuries ago – this is because these ancestors may have died, and someone else must represent them.
Eventually, a girl will be chosen as Nepal's "living goddess" and have an enviable life that belongs to a girl.
3. The "living goddess" represents the unique charm of Nepalese culture
Nepal's "living goddess" represent the unique charm of Nepalese culture and embody Nepalese reverence and belief in sacred things. The country's religion and culture have been buffeted by change and globalization over the past few decades, but Nepal's "living goddess" has long been established as the core of the country's cultural heritage.
The "living goddess" plays an important role in Nepalese culture, not only representing Nepal's cultural heritage, but also embodying cultural values; The contradiction between her worldly character and the sacredness reflects the complexity of human nature.
Fourth, Nepal's "living goddess" must be "dusty", how can it be achieved?
The "living goddess" needs to be kept "clean" and cannot touch the sun with her hands, etc., so it must be transported by a small palanquin made of rat tooth carvings, however, she needs to nod and let them put her in. In fact, the entire life of the "living goddess" is extremely special, stationed in a temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, refusing to contact the outside world.
Her role is square, and she must cross the segregated border between the so-called "pickers" and the patranches. Every year, thousands of tourists flock to Kathmandu hoping to see this legendary mysterious "living goddess", and although she rarely opens her mouth, it is believed that just seeing her may bring good luck in itself.
In addition, to ensure the purity of the "living goddess", she must perform a ritual of "purity" before each trip, where she will sprinkle holy water, wear her traditional finery, and then enter a room known as the Kumari house, then enter a room known as the Kumari House, and receive her "face" and her long nails after observing use at the advice of a person.
She also had to enter the room every night wearing a "shirt" to keep an eye on her family to make sure she wasn't exposed to any exotic epidemics.
Fifth, respect for cultural differences is one of the attitudes of tourism
The "Living Goddess" certainly has mysterious power and awe, but no matter what pure body she has, she is not a saint after all. Given that the Living Goddess is part of Nepalese culture, we should respect differences and learn to appreciate different cultures and beliefs.
If you have the opportunity to travel to Nepal, don't miss the tour of the "Living Goddess", but at the same time follow the local rules and do not photograph or touch her. We should observe and respect this peculiar culture as consumers and human beings, and learn to greet sectors and society correctly. This not only allows us to better appreciate the charm of tourism, but also allows us to obtain a deeper cultural experience.
Although this divine power may seem somewhat outdated in modern society, the "living goddess" introduces us to a different belief and cultural value. For Nepalis, the "living goddess" is not only a love and loyalty, but also the definition and recognition of faith, culture and identity. From this perspective, we should respect and accept the specific cultural belief and symbol of the "living goddess" and protect this sacred human treasure.