The life of a living goddess

By Chris Jung

November 2014 PHOTO ESSAY
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In Nepal, there is a centuries-old Hindu tradition of worshiping pre-pubescent girls as manifestations of divine female energy. e Kumari Devi, or Kumari, is revered and worshipped by some of the country’s Hindus as well as Buddhists as a living goddess, the incarnation of Durga.The selection process is especially rigorous; high priests choose the girl based on several physical characteristics, such as “neck like a conch shell” and “eyes like a cow”. Then, to prove that she is Kumari Devi,...

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