Nine former Kumaris honoured

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, May 25: Nine former Kumaris and Chitaydar Durga Devi Shakya were honoured in Kathmandu after offering worship to the living Kumari residing at Asan, Kathmandu. The programme was organised by Save Newa Valley.

Under the chairmanship of Shailesh Ratna Shakya, special guest and member of the House of Representatives Kulbhakta Shakya, honoured the former Kumaris Harsha Laxmi Shakya, Nani Maiya Shakya, Sunina Shakya, Amita Shakya, Rashmila Shakya, Amita Shakya, Priti Shakya, Matina Shakya, and Trishna Shakya.

Similarly, Charya Guru Swayambhu Ratna Shakya, Pratap Man Shakya, father of former Kumari Matina Shakya, Sangha Ratna Shakya, and Chancellor of the Nepal Bhasa Academy as well as Kumari novelist Malla K Sundar were also honoured during the programme. 

 Cultural activist Malla K Sundar said that the Kumari tradition and indigenous culture represent a living tradition of unity rather than conflict. Pratap Man Shakya, father of former Kumari Matina Shakya, also spoke about the history of the Kumari tradition, its divine powers, and the various fears and difficulties he personally experienced while his daughter served as the living goddess Kumari. 

Recalling natural disasters, human challenges, and legal cases filed against the Kumari tradition, he stressed that Newa organisations and institutions should move forward institutionally rather than individually to address threats facing Newa culture, civilisation, and heritage.

Speakers also objected to the misuse of technology to circulate various manipulated photographs of the living goddess Kumari, who had not even participated in Indra Jatra.

Sangha Ratna Shakya of Shakya Mahabihar, the institution currently responsible for the selection process of Kumari, Bhairav, and Ganesh, said that the history of the Kumari tradition and emphasised that Kumari Jatra and Indra Jatra are separate festivals.