Daya Shakya,Portland, USA
Introduction:
The topic here is very vague now but further digging may add points to the truth and it can be exposed from the hidden truth from the eye of public belief, traditional ritual and selection process. When the true image of kumari in a chariot is seen simply as a little girl from naked eyes, the reality behind the belief is much deeper and she is considered as a representation of the divine spirit with no pain or gain as human feelings. This argument may be too confusing to public, but the reality is clear from the philosophy of tradition. Recent change of the new kumari happened right before the Dashain festival (Mohani in Newar Language), Is it a coincidence or it was a wish of divine spirit is still unclear. The selection of new Kumari is based on the maturity of the existing one.
Indrajatra:
This year I noticed a very strange incident on the first day of Indra Jatra that was publicly viewable. There were live broadcasters on social media, and I happened to be a live viewer while she was throned in the chariot for the festival. It was obvious that her eyes were watery and shiny and seemed not happy at all while the chariot was pulled in southern side of Kathmandu. During the Indra jatra or Yen yaa there are many important episodes besides pulling the chariot of Kumari, Ganesh and Bhairab, devotes go around the city boundary offering the oil lamp in every corner of the city where shrine is installed, in the memory of deceased person in the family. Another episode is once the chariot pulling is over another divine figure ‘Daagin’ in a form of Indra’s mom is brought out and go around the city where three chariot are pulled in south and north side of the city boundary then heads to Yankidaha (a Holy Lake situated in west side of city) to end the procession. The followers of daagin spread the paddy or rice in the street as a mark of procession so that the unliberated souls can also follow to the yankee daha for expectation of rebirth in good place and happy ending of the soul of the deceased person.
The Daagin is the replication of Indra‘s mother who came to rescue the captured son the Indra who happened to be in city to collect the holy flower Parijaat ( Paaljaa swan) for her mother’s Basundhara brata a holy fasting ceremony. But the fully awakened tantrik expertise Guruju caught her and made her promise to take the devotees to Swarga the divine world. In modern context, the Swarga is not far away from own current lifestyle but a concept of fully established happy life with no worries, pain, disturbances. After passing through the Daagin in the locality of the city boundary another episode the ‘Baumata’ is carried out as low as possible above the ground so that every living unseen being can follow the path for liberation of unknown sin committed during life and make sure no one is left behind. The end of Baumata procession is the end of the festival on that day though the Yen yaa continues for the whole week.
Kumari as Divine Spirit:
Turning to the Kumari as mentioned above, she is not a little girl but a representation of the Divine spirit either Taleju Bhawani or Maha Laxmi, the protector of the whole nation with wealth and health. In this world of AI, Digital, or Robot, who believes a little girl is the divine spirit. We do not get correct answer to this question if a belief system is dominated by the power of science and technology until he or she becomes helpless for physical treatment of injury or mental disturbances, are not treated very well for full recovery. Even though these days the human beings express saying “Oh my God, I can’t believe it happened”, Where the god is residing in the human brain for instant expression if the divine spirit does not exist with him or her. After all GOD is not just a word listed in dictionary but also a part of life that unconsciously exists in human brain. The God exist in all language based on their own believe system. In context of Newah believe system, God exists in several forms: living or non-living or spiritual. The Kumari could be living or spiritual, we visualize physically during the Indra Jatra Festival. For senses of understanding spiritual Kumari, one must visit the Royal Kumari house (located at the Basantapur, Kathmandu) and get darshan (visualization) in her throne. One good example of spiritual kumari could be lack of human emotion. She is speechless, emotionless as well as awaken. She gets out of the palace just few times a year. Whether you believe or not the Kumari is the real representation of the divine spirit.
2025 Indra Jatra:
During the Indra Jatra 2025 an unusual incident took place that everyone noticed while the chariot of Kumari started pulling from Dawar Square. It was obvious that she was not in good mood, her eyes were clearly watery, even though she was on the holy throne to appear publicly (Darshana).
That was the indication of unusual ‘omen’. I was simply watching the news media Facebook live right from Portland Oregon, 11 hours and 45 minutes away from homeland without sleep. The unusual bad omen resulted in political turmoil in homeland by toppling the then Govt. led by KP Oli and ended up running away for safety of his own life. He was forced to resign for normalization of the situation due to agitation started by Gen Z group of protesters and curfew was declared in central locations and the remaining portion of Indra Jatra was interrupted even the final closing ceremony the Nanichaa yaa. It was supposed to be attended by the head of the state including the PM. They failed to get blessings from the Kumari as tradition due to the turmoil and ignorance.
Door for New Kumari:
Turning to the other side of chapter, a few days later I heard the existing Kumari is declared no longer qualified due to natural health situation. I was completely shocked and made more curious to watch the social media platforms. It happened right before the Mohani / Dashain festivals and traditionally Kumari Asan (Throne) must not be empty to celebrate Dashain. Hence a quick announcement was sent out to all 18 Vihars of Kathmandu / Nepal mandala on behalf of Shakya Maha Sangh. Due to digital awareness the Itum baha sangha has noticed it and spread out through the Itumbaha Sangh messenger group. To be selected for Kumari a child must belong to one of 18 viharas in Kathmandu Shakya family of both father and mother’s side.
An active couple members of IItumbaha sangha Ananta and Pratistha Shakya instantly noticed and stepped forward for consideration to apply for their daughter Aarya Tara Shakya 2.5 years old. Her father belongs to Itum Baha and mother to Lagan Baha. Soon after their application was turned in the selection committee notified to submit her Horoscope (The jaatah). It is customary to obtain a horoscope for any newborn child in Newar Tradition. A very important step for newborn baby.
A very important step for newborn baby. Since she was youngest among other applicants and additional exam including physical body also got through. Finally, the selection committee, consisting of Guthi Sansthan members and Astrologers) chose her as the successor of the existing Kumari Trishna Shakya after passing through all the tests with additional quality and feature check of the child etc.
On BS 2082 Ashoj 5 20829 (Nepal Sambat 1145, Kaula Tho Tritiya. Thursday / September 25, 2025) she was officially enthroned and declared the next royal Kumari. Her entry to the Kumari ghar (the residence) took place on the first day of Dasaain the Fulpati. She was given high level of public respect while she was taken to the Kumari ghar from her parental residence in Chhatrapati Dhalko Kathmandu with blasting the traditional drums and music. The auspicious time was 12:0204 to 12:16 Noon to occupy her seat at the throne to follow official.
During the process one thing I noticed was that her eyes were way above in the sky not paying attention to public who joined in the procession. This is typical character of Aarya Tara Shakya after selection, and it is a sign of spiritual connection with divinity. She expresses neither her emotion of joy nor sorrow as in human beings most of the time calm and quiet. My observation believes it’s a sign of national peace and prosperity and the people of Nepal get blessed for long lasting stability.
Existing Kumari:
Once the selected girl takes the seat of Kumari the ex-one needs to exit with due respect and drop her off at the parental home. She exits from the back door and goes around the city in carriage / Khat saying bye to all. Once she enters the house, she was supposed to go through all the rituals such as laskus ceremony etc. and then set other rituals that were never done during the period of Kumari such as ihi and Bara taye to enter real human hood according to the Newar tradition and becomes free from any other obligations of don’t do this and that while in kumari hood. The Ex-kumari receives special protective service including the stipends and other facilities, education and monthly benefits. The rumor of the ex-kumari welcomes short life for partner after marriage is no longer valid these days. In one hand the superstitious believe as the spiritual connection with divine existence still in belief but the exiting the kumari-hood consequences are just a rumor.
Final Remark:
Finally, I would like to emphasize that there is a relationship between emotional expression, political turmoil, discontinuation of existing kumari hood during the Indra Jatra right before the Dashain, are all coincidences for the end of Nepal Sambat 1145 and soon after door was open to all with new year NS 1146 could be a good omen for Nepal and Nepalese people and for future generation. This write up is simply an observation to dig out more highlight and to make the people aware of the importance of Kumari tradition in Nepal that attracts lots of tourists to observe the tradition of the living Goddess.
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