Bhaktapur's Virgin Goddess: The Kumari in the crowds

BHAKTAPUR, Nov 5: Five years ago, Shreya Bajracharya had no idea about the distinction between a goddess and a mere human when the six-year-old from Nasamana in Bhaktapur was chosen to be “Ekanta Kumari” (Secluded Living/Virgin Goddess) of Bhaktapur City.

Now, having completed her lofty tenure, Shreya, now 11, has retired from her life as Kumari last Wednesday. But she still feels like a goddess among people, she says.[break]

“The way people revered and worshipped me for five years made me believe that I was indeed a goddess,” said Shreya who was watching a Hindi serial on TV. “I still feel the same, even after returning from the Kumari Ghar.”

She is interested in cartoons and Hindi serials and claims her life is no less a drama.

Shreya Bajracharya, retired Kumari of Bhaktapur city, now leads a normal life after five years of living the life of a goddess.

“People looked up to me as a goddess when I was dressed up as one, and now I go to school like others my age,” she added.

People who don’t know that she used to be the Ekanta Kumari of Bhaktapur just weeks ago treat her no differently, but she is grateful for the love and respect from her teachers and friends.

“I feel loved and understand that I have to give it back to people,” she said, pointing at her siblings. “I don’t know why but I smile even when they are fighting.”

Shreya, who is currently studying in grade five at Future Academy, informs that she used to stay long at the Kumari Ghar only during Dashain and usually at home. It was only during pujas and ceremonies that Shreya had to be at Kumari Ghar, the appointed residence of the Vigin Goddess. After having continuously lived in the Kumari Ghar for 18 days during Dashain, she retreated to her normal life.

Her mother Shanti said that her daughter was sent back home after she turned 11. “They haven’t chosen the new Kumari, so there are chances that she’ll be officiating as Kumari for one more year.”

Shreya’s life as Ekanta Kumari ends once she performs Bel Bibaha, her marriage ceremony with bel fruit, which marks the beginning of adolescence for girls among Newars of the Kathmandu Valley. The ceremony will probably be this year, informs her mother.

Shreya has no regrets of the life she lived as a Kumari. “I was happy as a goddess,” she says cheerfully, “and I’m enjoying my normal life.”