Aryatara Shakya enthroned as new Living Goddess Kumari
One-and-a-half-year-old assumes revered cultural and religious role
Published: 08:10 pm Sep 30, 2025
KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 1
Aryatara Shakya of Itumbahal has been enthroned as the new Kumari at Basantapur's Kumarighar, succeeding outgoing Kumari Trishna Shakya.
Revered as the living goddess, the Kumari is worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists and participates in cultural rituals including Indra Jatra and Nawaratri.
The enthronement ceremony, accompanied by traditional music, marked Aryatara's formal assumption of her duties as the embodiment of Goddess Taleju Bhawani.
As tradition holds, the Head of State will pay homage to her during Kojagrat Purnima.