Nepal is the land of the living goddess, Kumari, but few of us know about the existence of living gods — Ganesh and Bhairab. The living forms of Ganesh and Bhairab are worshipped only in Kathmandu though other cities, including Patan, Bungamati and Bhaktapur, also have their Kumaris.

Devotees are thronging the goddess temples throughout the country today on the occasion of Maha Astami, the eighth day of the Bada Dashain festival.

BHADGAUN, Oct 19: A big religious fair has commenced at the famous Brahmayani temple in Bhaktapur on the occasion of the Bada Dashain festival today.

Nihira Bajracharya, the Kumari, or living goddess, at Ratnakar Mahabihar in Patan on Saturday. On that day, she was installed as the new Kumari of Patan following necessary rituals. Five-year-old Nihira Bajracharya was chosen among five candidates.

KATHMANDU, Sept 28: Hindus throughout the country thronged the various goddess shrines from early morning today to observe the Maha Astami, the eighth day of the ten-day long Bada Dasain festival. Goddess Durga Bhawani is worshipped on this day.

KATHMANDU, Sept 11: President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Sunday – the final day of the Indra Jatra festival – received blessings from the living Goddess Kumari.

BHAKTAPUR, Oct 11: People in large numbers received tika from the Kumari, who is considered the living goddess, at Taleju in Bhaktapur today on the occasion of the Bijaya Dashami festival.

JANAKPURDHAM, Oct 11: The Tarai Madhes Yatra Parva is being celebrated to mark the Vijaya Dashami of the ongoing Bada Dashain festival here.