Bhaktapur, September 28:

The Guthi Sansthan, Bhaktapur, appointed new Kumari for the Taleju temple on Friday.

Keshav Bahadur Shrestha, chief of the Guthi Sansthan, Bhaktapur, said the new Kumari — seven-year-old Shreeya Bajracharya — was appointed after acting Prime Minister Bamdev Gautam gave them the power of attorney to appoint new Kumari.

The Taleju temple in Bhaktapur had been without Kumari for eight months after the Bel Vivah of the previous Kumari, Sajani Shakya, on January 19. Two months ago, the main priest of Taleju temple had selected Shreeya as the new Kumari. Kumari is taken as the living goddess.

In the past, after the selection of new Kumari, the Guthi Sansthan used to recommend the king to appoint the Kumari.

In the absence of rules governing the appointment of Kumari following the abolition of monarchy, the Guthi Sansthan wrote to the Ministry of Land Reforms and Management to appoint Kumari.

As the ministry was also without minister, recommendation was made to the office of the Prime Minister to appoint Kumari.

In the absence of the Prime Minister, who is taking part in the United Nations general assembly, Gautam who is looking after the land reforms ministry, gave the authority to Guthi Sansthan to appoint Kumari.

“We offer special Kumari puja in Bhaktapur during Vijaya Dashami from Ghatasthapana, the first day of Vijaya Dashami, to Purnima, the last day of Dashain. Appointment of Kumari was a must for the puja,” Shrestha added.