Living goddess comes of age in Nepal: 04-03-2008
An 11-year-old living goddess from Nepal has retired from her position because she has "come of age".
Sajani Shakya is no longer one of Nepal's living "kumaris" after the chief of the government trust announced that she will be replaced.
"We have begun the process of searching for a new kumari," Jaiprasad Regmie told the Associated Press.
The kumaris are selected when they are toddlers and usually keep their positions until they reach puberty.
But Sajani's family want her to be part of another ritual for girls of the Newar ethnic community although this means she can no longer be a living goddess.
Travellers visiting Nepal will find that living goddesses are worshipped by the Hindus and Buddhists and they are selected as young as two-years-old.
Having perfect skin, hair, eyes and teeth are just a few of the characteristics required of a living goddess as well as not being afraid of the dark.
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