KATHMANDU: People in large numbers received Dashain Tika from Kumari, the Living Goddess, at Taleju in Bhaktapur today on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami festival.

The Taleju Temple chief Narendra Prasad Joshi, priests, Joshis and Karmacharyas received the Tika and blessings from the Kumari, Jeebika Bajracharya, at the auspicious hour of 8:45 am today.

The Kumari then offered Tika to the members of the general public. Kumari is considered the embodiment of Goddess Taleju and worshipped as the Living Goddess.

Legends have it that King Jaya Prakash Malla of the Malla dynasty used to play dice with the Taleju Bhawani during the 17th century. But it once happened that the King saw the Goddess Taleju with lecherous eyes while playing dice and the Goddess vanished from the scene.

The King is said to have pleaded with the Goddess for forgiveness and the Goddess gave word that she would appear once in a year on the day of Maha Nawami. Therefore, the people visit Kumari and receive Tika and blessings from her on the occasion in the belief that the Goddess Taleju Bhawani has appeared in front of them.

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