Kathmandu Prepares to Welcome Aaryatara Shakya as Kumari
Kathmandu – Kathmandu’s centuries-old tradition of worshipping a living goddess will reach another milestone this week as two-and-a-half-year-old Aaryatara Shakya of Itumbahal, daughter of Ananta Shakya and Pratistha Shakya, is formally installed as the new Royal Kumari. The announcement came after an extended search led by the Shakya Mahavihar Association, which spent nearly two years consulting Newar Buddhist communities to identify the young girl who will embody the goddess Taleju, a manifestation of Durga.
The selection process followed long-established customs. Letters were sent to fifteen bahals, which are historic monastic courtyards of the Newar community, inviting recommendations for eligible candidates. A panel representing the Guthi Sansthan, the body that oversees religious trusts, worked alongside the traditional Panchanga astrologers to examine each name. After detailed rituals and astrological consultations, the committee unanimously chose Aaryatara as the next bearer of the sacred role.
Her enthronement is scheduled for Tuesday at the Kumari Ghar, the historic residence in Kathmandu’s Durbar Square where the Royal Kumari lives in near seclusion. The auspicious ceremony will begin shortly after noon and is timed to coincide with Ashtami, the eighth day of the Dashain festival, which celebrates the victory of the goddess Durga over evil. Outgoing Kumari Trishna Shakya, who has served since 2017, will be honored in a farewell procession of music and prayer before relinquishing her duties.
The practice of venerating a living goddess, known locally as Kumari Devi, has deep roots in Nepalese culture. The word “Kumari,” derived from Sanskrit for “princess,” refers to a prepubescent girl believed to be possessed by the divine feminine power, or Shakti. Although rooted in the Newar Buddhist community, the tradition is revered by both Buddhists and Hindus across the Kathmandu Valley. Worshippers believe the goddess departs when the Kumari reaches puberty or suffers serious injury, prompting the selection of a new child for the fulfillment of the role.
As Kathmandu readies for the enthronement, devotees and visitors alike are reminded of the enduring blend of religion, culture, and history that makes the Kumari a unique symbol of Nepal’s spiritual heritage.
