Kumari: The embodiment ofTaleju Bhawani
Taleju Bhawani is also known as the guardian deity of the country since the time of the Malla dynasty. The temple is believed to be built in the shape of a Yantra or tantric geometrical design on the advice of Goddess Taleju, who had manifested herself as a bee.
Taleju Bhawani is also known as the guardian deity of the country since the time of the Malla dynasty. The temple is believed to be built in the shape of a Yantra or tantric geometrical design on the advice of Goddess Taleju, who had manifested herself as a bee. This temple was built in 1564 AD by then King Mahendra Malla and is opened for the public only on Nawami during the Dashian festival.
Moreover, the living goddess Kumari is believed to be the human incarnation of goddess Taleju. According to Uddhav Karmacharya, priest of Taleju temple, the living goddess Kumari is the tangible form of Taleju Bhawani while the intangible form of goddess Taleju (kalash) is in the temple.
Talking about the prerequisites to choose a Kumari, Rajan Maharjan, festival coordinator of ward number 25, informed, “The girl must be from Shakya clan and must possess 32 pre-defined good qualities to become a Kumari.”
According to Uddhav, the selection of Kumari is done in secrecy where the management committee looks for qualities such as if the girl’s parents and grandparents are pure Shakya or not, if her tooth has fallen or not and if has she ever shed any blood, among others. “The child must not have any injury marks on her body and she should not be restless when brought to the Kumari’s seat. The power of Goddess Bhawani is installed on the girl child during the time of Dashain,” added Uddhav.
Moreover after the selection, the Kumari is taken to the Kumari Ghar, is not allowed to come out of the Ghar and is revered as the human form of Taleju Bhawani till she is of age to hit puberty. The living goddess also puts tika to devotees till Dashami at the Kumari Ghar. The house of previous Kumari is opened for the public to receive tika from the Kumari till Dashami.
According to Uddhav those who worship goddess Kumari are believed to be free from any negative energy. He added, “Goddess Kumari protects the worshiper from any negativity and blesses them with peace and prosperity.”
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