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Nepal's Living Goddess

• AP
• Reuters
• Reuters
• AP
• AP

• Oct. 7: Matani Shakya, 3, newly appointed 'kumari,' or living goddess in Nepal, is greeted by a crowd as she is taken to kumari house in Katmandu, Nepal. Selected between the ages of 2 and 4, living goddesses are worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists. Devotees touch the girls' feet with their foreheads, the highest sign of respect among Hindus in Nepal. During religious festivals the girls are wheeled around on a chariot pulled by devotees.
• Oct. 7: Matina Shakya is taken to her temple after being appointed as the new living Goddess or Kumari in Kathmandu. Authorities in Nepal enthroned a three-year-old girl as the new Kumari, or the main living goddess, in a centuries old ritual that the new Maoist-led coalition has allowed to continue.
• Oct. 7: Matina Shakya, after being appointed as the new living goddess or Kumari, is seen with her mother Sunita Shakya in Kathmandu. Authorities in Nepal enthroned a three-year-old girl as a new Kumari, or the main 'living goddess,' in a centuries-old ritual.
• Oct. 7: Matani Shakya, 3, newly appointed 'kumari,' or living goddess in Nepal, looks on as farewell rituals are performed before taking her to kumari house in Katmandu, Nepal. Selected between the ages of 2 and 4, living goddesses are worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists.
• Oct. 7: Matani Shakya, 3, newly appointed 'kumari,' or living goddess in Nepal, looks on as farewell rituals are performed before taking her to kumari house in Katmandu, Nepal.