Nepal: Exploitation of Kumari girls under Supreme Court scrutiny
Child abuse: Girl goddess Kumari
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Reacting to a petition of human rights campaigners seeking to abolish the traditional Kumari worship as it is exploitation of children, the Supreme Court of Nepal has ordered an investigation into the matter. Within three weeks, the ministry of culture has to table a detailed report about the Kumari worship that is part of the religious traditions of the aboriginal ethnic community of the Newaris, who are living in the Kathmandu valley.
Since centuries, the Kumari is residing in the Taleju Bhawani Temple in the heart of Kathmandu. She is said to have great powers. Through her fingertips, the powers of the Hindu god Vishnu would flow into a new king when he comes to visit her after his coronation. If she hesitates for a moment or smiles, before speaking the magic word "Taleju!" it is a bad omen for the king's future. But these "powers" come at a high price. The temple service is ruining the life of the Kumari girls. Chosen as a child at the age of five to six years according to traditional rules and rituals, the young girl lives for six or seven years in the temple. At the time of her first menstruation, she has to leave and a new girl is chosen as her successor. During her divine spell, the little goddess has only very limited contact with her family, is not allowed to go to school, engage in play and sport and mingle with children her age. She is kept under conditions that are bound to affect healthy growth and development of a child and cause psychological damage. Moreover, her being the Kumari is spoiling the girl's future. In most cases she will not be able to marry, as pleople believe that a retired Kumari brings ill luck and early death to her husband.
The Supreme Court is expected to decide about the petition within three to four months.