Himalayan News Service

Lalitpur, July 23:

The role of the Kumari should be modified to match the changing political, economical and social scenario in the country, said Dr Chunda Bajracharya while presenting a paper on

‘Kumari in Newari Culture’ at the Nepal Bhasa Cental Department, Patan Mulitple Campus, today. “Issues related to violation of child rights have also been raised in case of the Kumari,” she said, adding allowing the Kumari to live with her family would help. “Her presence should also be considered in the Parliament and other important political meetings,” she added.

Before the tradition of appointing a girl child as Kumari, idols without distinct forms were spotted at different places in the Valley. She associated the culture of Kumari with the mask dance of Harisiddhi, a tradition that began before the advent of the Bikram Era. Commenting on the paper, Dr Jagdish Chandra Regmi, a historian, said the limitation of the research raises many questions on the topic. “This has opened up a way to conduct more research on the topic.” “According to the paper, the history of the Kumari dates back to third century AD,” he said, adding: “Therefore, research should have gone beyond Kathmandu and Newari culture.” “Kumari has an important role to attract tourists.”