The Newest Living Goddess Was Appointed On Tuesday In Nepal

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The ceremony has ties to Nepal's monarchy which was abolished this past May.

Matani Shakya was carried from her parent's home to the ancient palatial temple in Katmandu, Nepal. She is now considered a "kumari" or living goddess. The child will remain at the palace until she reaches puberty. At that time she will lose her divine status.

Little Matani will be worshipped by Hindus and Buddhists as an incarnation of the Hindu deity Taleju.

The "kumari" is selected from a group of 2 to 4-year-old girls who are part of the Sharya goldsmith caste. Judges check their horoscopes and the children for physical imperfections. The living princess must have perfect hair, eyes, teeth and skin with no scars. The child can not be afraid of the dark. The final test involves the little girl to spend a night alone with only the heads of ritually slaughtered goats and buffaloes to keep her company. If the child shows no fear she is then deemed a living goddess.

Matani will wear red as long as she lives at the palace. Her hair will be pinned in topknots and a third eye will be painted on her forehead.

Those who worship the kumari touch the girl's feet with their forehead. This is the highest sign of respect for Nepal's Hindus. The living goddess is wheeled about in a chariot pulled by devotees during religious festivals.

Once the kumari is named she is sent to live in almost complete isolation in the temple. Only when the onset of menstruation takes place will she be allowed to return to her family. At that time a new kumari will be named.

The practice has come under attack by international and Nepalese laws on child rights.

Once a girl has reached puberty they are thrust back into a life they have little memory of. Because of Nepalese folklore believing that men who wed a former living goddess will die young, few former kumari marry. With little prospect for marriage most of the girls face a life of hardship and poverty.