One-and-a-half-year-old assumes revered cultural and religious role

KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 1

Aryatara Shakya of Itumbahal has been enthroned as the new Kumari at Basantapur's Kumarighar, succeeding outgoing Kumari Trishna Shakya.

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The young Kumari, Trishna Shakya, is carried in a palanquin outside the Kumari’s residence in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, as Arya Tara Shakya is formally installed as the new Living Goddess. Trishna Shakya steps down from her sacred role, making way for the two-and-a-half-year-old successor following centuries-old Newar tradition. The change marks a rare transition in Kathmandu’s Kumari lineage, with Trishna ceremonially retiring upon reaching the age of maturity.

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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.