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DUKAS_189964418_NUR
Durga Puja Bazaar
Silver rings are displayed at the Durga Puja Bazaar during the Durga Puja festival in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on September 28, 2025. Durga Puja is one of the largest Hindu festivals that involves the worship of Goddess Durga, symbolizing the power and triumph of good over evil in Hindu mythology. (Photo by Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto) -
DUKAS_189964417_NUR
Durga Puja Bazaar
Traditional necklaces adorned with cowry shells are displayed at the Durga Puja Bazaar during the Durga Puja festival in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on September 28, 2025. Durga Puja is one of the largest Hindu festivals that involves the worship of Goddess Durga, symbolizing the power and triumph of good over evil in Hindu mythology. (Photo by Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto) -
DUKAS_189964415_NUR
Durga Puja Bazaar
Jewelry is displayed at the Durga Puja Bazaar during the Durga Puja festival in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on September 28, 2025. Durga Puja is one of the largest Hindu festivals that involves the worship of Goddess Durga, symbolizing the power and triumph of good over evil in Hindu mythology. (Photo by Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto) -
DUKAS_189964408_NUR
Durga Puja Bazaar
A handcrafted necklace with a figure of the Goddess Durga is displayed at the Durga Puja Bazaar during the Durga Puja festival in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on September 28, 2025. Durga Puja is one of the largest Hindu festivals that involves the worship of Goddess Durga, symbolizing the power and triumph of good over evil in Hindu mythology. (Photo by Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto) -
DUKAS_189964407_NUR
Durga Puja Bazaar
A handcrafted necklace with a figure of the Goddess Durga is displayed at the Durga Puja Bazaar during the Durga Puja festival in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on September 28, 2025. Durga Puja is one of the largest Hindu festivals that involves the worship of Goddess Durga, symbolizing the power and triumph of good over evil in Hindu mythology. (Photo by Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto) -
DUKAS_189964398_NUR
Durga Puja Bazaar
Bangles are displayed at the Durga Puja Bazaar during the Durga Puja festival in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on September 28, 2025. Durga Puja is one of the largest Hindu festivals that involves the worship of Goddess Durga, symbolizing the power and triumph of good over evil in Hindu mythology. (Photo by Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto) -
DUKAS_189964464_NUR
Durga Puja Bazaar
A handcrafted necklace with the theme of the Goddess Durga is displayed at the Durga Puja Bazaar during the Durga Puja festival in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on September 28, 2025. Durga Puja is one of the largest Hindu festivals that involves the worship of Goddess Durga, symbolizing the power and triumph of good over evil in Hindu mythology. (Photo by Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto) -
DUKAS_189964463_NUR
Durga Puja Bazaar
A handcrafted necklace with a figure of the Goddess Durga is displayed at the Durga Puja Bazaar during the Durga Puja festival in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on September 28, 2025. Durga Puja is one of the largest Hindu festivals that involves the worship of Goddess Durga, symbolizing the power and triumph of good over evil in Hindu mythology. (Photo by Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto) -
DUKAS_189964421_NUR
Durga Puja Bazaar
A woman sells sarees during the Durga Puja Bazaar at the Durga Puja festival in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on September 28, 2025. Durga Puja is one of the largest Hindu festivals that involves the worship of Goddess Durga, symbolizing the power and triumph of good over evil in Hindu mythology. (Photo by Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto) -
DUKAS_189430819_NUR
Toddler ‘Aryatara Shakya’ Is Anointed As “Kumari” The Living Goddess After Undergoing Ancient Ritual
Aryatara Shakya, two and a half years old, in red regalia, is carried by her father as she is brought to the Taleju Bhawani Temple in Kathmandu Durbar Square, Nepal, on September 30, 2025, to formally anoint her as the new Royal Kumari, the living goddess of Nepal. Nepal has a unique tradition of worshipping the ''Kumari,'' the living goddess, who is appointed at certain intervals following a strict selection process. A young Newar girl with no blemishes is chosen to represent the Goddess Kumari as an incarnation of Goddess Taleju, the tutelary deity of the Malla dynasty and the Shah dynasty, which inherited the tradition. The young candidates from the Shakya caste among the Newars, many as young as four years old, must go through an extremely strict selection process before one of them is chosen to represent the Goddess. She must remain calm and show no signs of fear even when put through scary tests. Once chosen, she has to live within the Kumari Ghar (Kumari's House), her feet must never touch the ground, and she will leave her residence only during certain festivals. She remains a Living Goddess until any form of bleeding occurs, which is usually when she reaches puberty. The Living Goddess is worshipped with great reverence, and even the Shah Kings follow the tradition of receiving tika and blessings from her. Dating back to the 17th century, the practice is institutionalized by a Malla king. Legend has it that King Jaya Prakash Malla, under the influence of alcohol while playing a game with the visiting Goddess Taleju in the form of a human, starts lusting after her. This offends the goddess, and she orders the king to make an oath that he will select a virgin girl within whom she will always reside. The tradition continues to this day. The Malla dynasty is ousted by King Prithvi Narayan Shah, but the tradition of revering the Goddess Kumari is continued by the conquerors. Until 2008, the Shah King goes to the Kumari to receive tika on his forehead. -
DUKAS_189430818_NUR
Toddler ‘Aryatara Shakya’ Is Anointed As “Kumari” The Living Goddess After Undergoing Ancient Ritual
Aryatara Shakya, two and a half years old, in red regalia, is carried by her father as she is brought to the Taleju Bhawani Temple in Kathmandu Durbar Square, Nepal, on September 30, 2025, to formally anoint her as the new Royal Kumari, the living goddess of Nepal. Nepal has a unique tradition of worshipping the ''Kumari,'' the living goddess, who is appointed at certain intervals following a strict selection process. A young Newar girl with no blemishes is chosen to represent the Goddess Kumari as an incarnation of Goddess Taleju, the tutelary deity of the Malla dynasty and the Shah dynasty, which inherited the tradition. The young candidates from the Shakya caste among the Newars, many as young as four years old, must go through an extremely strict selection process before one of them is chosen to represent the Goddess. She must remain calm and show no signs of fear even when put through scary tests. Once chosen, she has to live within the Kumari Ghar (Kumari's House), her feet must never touch the ground, and she will leave her residence only during certain festivals. She remains a Living Goddess until any form of bleeding occurs, which is usually when she reaches puberty. The Living Goddess is worshipped with great reverence, and even the Shah Kings follow the tradition of receiving tika and blessings from her. Dating back to the 17th century, the practice is institutionalized by a Malla king. Legend has it that King Jaya Prakash Malla, under the influence of alcohol while playing a game with the visiting Goddess Taleju in the form of a human, starts lusting after her. This offends the goddess, and she orders the king to make an oath that he will select a virgin girl within whom she will always reside. The tradition continues to this day. The Malla dynasty is ousted by King Prithvi Narayan Shah, but the tradition of revering the Goddess Kumari is continued by the conquerors. Until 2008, the Shah King goes to the Kumari to receive tika on his forehead. -
DUKAS_189430817_NUR
Toddler ‘Aryatara Shakya’ Is Anointed As “Kumari” The Living Goddess After Undergoing Ancient Ritual
Trishna Shakya, the retired Royal Kumari of Kathmandu, is carried back to her home in a palanquin amid a ceremony in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 30, 2025. Nepal has a unique tradition of worshipping the ''Kumari,'' the living goddess, who is appointed at certain intervals following a strict selection process. A young Newar girl with no blemishes is chosen to represent the Goddess Kumari as an incarnation of Goddess Taleju, the tutelary deity of the Malla dynasty and the Shah dynasty, which inherits the tradition. The young candidates from the Shakya caste among the Newars, many as young as four years old, must go through an extremely strict selection process before one of them is chosen to represent the Goddess. She must remain calm and show no signs of fear even when put through scary tests. Once chosen, she lives within the Kumari Ghar (Kumari's House), her feet must never touch the ground, and she leaves her residence only during certain festivals. She remains a Living Goddess until any form of bleeding occurs, which is usually when she reaches puberty. The Living Goddess is worshipped with great reverence, and even the Shah Kings follow the tradition of receiving tika and blessings from her. Dating back to the 17th century, the practice is institutionalized by a Malla king. Legend has it that King Jaya Prakash Malla, under the influence of alcohol while playing a game with the visiting Goddess Taleju in the form of a human, starts lusting after her. This offends the goddess, and she orders the king to make an oath that he will select a virgin girl within whom she will always reside. The tradition continues to this day. The Malla dynasty is ousted by King Prithvi Narayan Shah, but the tradition of revering the Goddess Kumari is continued by the conquerors. Until 2008, the Shah King goes to the Kumari to receive tika on his forehead, which symbolizes the empowering of the monarch. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto) -
DUKAS_189430816_NUR
Toddler ‘Aryatara Shakya’ Is Anointed As “Kumari” The Living Goddess After Undergoing Ancient Ritual
Aryatara Shakya, two and a half years old, in red regalia, is carried by her father as she is brought to the Taleju Bhawani Temple in Kathmandu Durbar Square, Nepal, on September 30, 2025, to formally anoint her as the new Royal Kumari, the living goddess of Nepal. Nepal has a unique tradition of worshipping the ''Kumari,'' the living goddess, who is appointed at certain intervals following a strict selection process. A young Newar girl with no blemishes is chosen to represent the Goddess Kumari as an incarnation of Goddess Taleju, the tutelary deity of the Malla dynasty and the Shah dynasty, which inherited the tradition. The young candidates from the Shakya caste among the Newars, many as young as four years old, must go through an extremely strict selection process before one of them is chosen to represent the Goddess. She must remain calm and show no signs of fear even when put through scary tests. Once chosen, she has to live within the Kumari Ghar (Kumari's House), her feet must never touch the ground, and she will leave her residence only during certain festivals. She remains a Living Goddess until any form of bleeding occurs, which is usually when she reaches puberty. The Living Goddess is worshipped with great reverence, and even the Shah Kings follow the tradition of receiving tika and blessings from her. Dating back to the 17th century, the practice is institutionalized by a Malla king. Legend has it that King Jaya Prakash Malla, under the influence of alcohol while playing a game with the visiting Goddess Taleju in the form of a human, starts lusting after her. This offends the goddess, and she orders the king to make an oath that he will select a virgin girl within whom she will always reside. The tradition continues to this day. The Malla dynasty is ousted by King Prithvi Narayan Shah, but the tradition of revering the Goddess Kumari is continued by the conquerors. Until 2008, the Shah King goes to the Kumari to receive tika on his forehead. -
DUKAS_189430815_NUR
Toddler ‘Aryatara Shakya’ Is Anointed As “Kumari” The Living Goddess After Undergoing Ancient Ritual
Two-and-a-half-year-old Aryatara Shakya, in red regalia, is escorted to the Taleju Bhawani Temple in Kathmandu Durbar Square, Nepal, on September 30, 2025, to formally anoint her as the new Royal Kumari, the living goddess of Nepal. Nepal has a unique tradition of worshipping the ''Kumari,'' the living goddess, who is appointed at certain intervals following a strict selection process. A young Newar girl with no blemishes is chosen to represent the Goddess Kumari as an incarnation of Goddess Taleju, the tutelary deity of the Malla dynasty and the Shah dynasty, which inherited the tradition. The young candidates from the Shakya caste among the Newars, many as young as four years old, must go through an extremely strict selection process before one of them is chosen to represent the Goddess. She must remain calm and show no signs of fear even when put through scary tests. Once chosen, she has to live within the Kumari Ghar (Kumari's House), her feet must never touch the ground, and she leaves her residence only during certain festivals. She remains a Living Goddess until any form of bleeding occurs, which is usually when she reaches puberty. The Living Goddess is worshipped with great reverence, and even the Shah Kings follow the tradition of receiving tika and blessings from her. Dating back to the 17th century, the practice is institutionalized by a Malla king. Legend has it that King Jaya Prakash Malla, under the influence of alcohol while playing a game with the visiting Goddess Taleju in the form of a human, starts lusting after her. This offends the goddess, and she orders the king to make an oath that he will select a virgin girl within whom she will always reside. The tradition continues to this day. The Malla dynasty is ousted by King Prithvi Narayan Shah, but the tradition of revering the Goddess Kumari is continued by the conquerors. Until 2008, the Shah King goes to the Kumari to receive tika on his forehead, which symbolizes the empowering. (Photo by STR/ -
DUKAS_189430814_NUR
Toddler ‘Aryatara Shakya’ Is Anointed As “Kumari” The Living Goddess After Undergoing Ancient Ritual
Trishna Shakya, the retired Royal Kumari of Kathmandu, is carried back to her home in a palanquin amid a ceremony in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 30, 2025. Nepal has a unique tradition of worshipping the ''Kumari,'' the living goddess, who is appointed at certain intervals following a strict selection process. A young Newar girl with no blemishes is chosen to represent the Goddess Kumari as an incarnation of Goddess Taleju, the tutelary deity of the Malla dynasty and the Shah dynasty, which inherits the tradition. The young candidates from the Shakya caste among the Newars, many as young as four years old, must go through an extremely strict selection process before one of them is chosen to represent the Goddess. She must remain calm and show no signs of fear even when put through scary tests. Once chosen, she lives within the Kumari Ghar (Kumari's House), her feet must never touch the ground, and she leaves her residence only during certain festivals. She remains a Living Goddess until any form of bleeding occurs, which is usually when she reaches puberty. The Living Goddess is worshipped with great reverence, and even the Shah Kings follow the tradition of receiving tika and blessings from her. Dating back to the 17th century, the practice is institutionalized by a Malla king. Legend has it that King Jaya Prakash Malla, under the influence of alcohol while playing a game with the visiting Goddess Taleju in the form of a human, starts lusting after her. This offends the goddess, and she orders the king to make an oath that he will select a virgin girl within whom she will always reside. The tradition continues to this day. The Malla dynasty is ousted by King Prithvi Narayan Shah, but the tradition of revering the Goddess Kumari is continued by the conquerors. Until 2008, the Shah King goes to the Kumari to receive tika on his forehead, which symbolizes the empowering of the monarch. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto) -
DUKAS_189430813_NUR
Toddler ‘Aryatara Shakya’ Is Anointed As “Kumari” The Living Goddess After Undergoing Ancient Ritual
Aryatara Shakya, two and a half years old, in red regalia, is carried by her father as she is brought to the Taleju Bhawani Temple in Kathmandu Durbar Square, Nepal, on September 30, 2025, to formally anoint her as the new Royal Kumari, the living goddess of Nepal. Nepal has a unique tradition of worshipping the ''Kumari,'' the living goddess, who is appointed at certain intervals following a strict selection process. A young Newar girl with no blemishes is chosen to represent the Goddess Kumari as an incarnation of Goddess Taleju, the tutelary deity of the Malla dynasty and the Shah dynasty, which inherited the tradition. The young candidates from the Shakya caste among the Newars, many as young as four years old, must go through an extremely strict selection process before one of them is chosen to represent the Goddess. She must remain calm and show no signs of fear even when put through scary tests. Once chosen, she has to live within the Kumari Ghar (Kumari's House), her feet must never touch the ground, and she will leave her residence only during certain festivals. She remains a Living Goddess until any form of bleeding occurs, which is usually when she reaches puberty. The Living Goddess is worshipped with great reverence, and even the Shah Kings follow the tradition of receiving tika and blessings from her. Dating back to the 17th century, the practice is institutionalized by a Malla king. Legend has it that King Jaya Prakash Malla, under the influence of alcohol while playing a game with the visiting Goddess Taleju in the form of a human, starts lusting after her. This offends the goddess, and she orders the king to make an oath that he will select a virgin girl within whom she will always reside. The tradition continues to this day. The Malla dynasty is ousted by King Prithvi Narayan Shah, but the tradition of revering the Goddess Kumari is continued by the conquerors. Until 2008, the Shah King goes to the Kumari to receive tika on his forehead. -
DUKAS_189430811_NUR
Toddler ‘Aryatara Shakya’ Is Anointed As “Kumari” The Living Goddess After Undergoing Ancient Ritual
Aryatara Shakya, two and a half years old, in red regalia, is carried by her father as she is brought to the Taleju Bhawani Temple in Kathmandu Durbar Square, Nepal, on September 30, 2025, to formally anoint her as the new Royal Kumari, the living goddess of Nepal. Nepal has a unique tradition of worshipping the ''Kumari,'' the living goddess, who is appointed at certain intervals following a strict selection process. A young Newar girl with no blemishes is chosen to represent the Goddess Kumari as an incarnation of Goddess Taleju, the tutelary deity of the Malla dynasty and the Shah dynasty, which inherited the tradition. The young candidates from the Shakya caste among the Newars, many as young as four years old, must go through an extremely strict selection process before one of them is chosen to represent the Goddess. She must remain calm and show no signs of fear even when put through scary tests. Once chosen, she has to live within the Kumari Ghar (Kumari's House), her feet must never touch the ground, and she will leave her residence only during certain festivals. She remains a Living Goddess until any form of bleeding occurs, which is usually when she reaches puberty. The Living Goddess is worshipped with great reverence, and even the Shah Kings follow the tradition of receiving tika and blessings from her. Dating back to the 17th century, the practice is institutionalized by a Malla king. Legend has it that King Jaya Prakash Malla, under the influence of alcohol while playing a game with the visiting Goddess Taleju in the form of a human, starts lusting after her. This offends the goddess, and she orders the king to make an oath that he will select a virgin girl within whom she will always reside. The tradition continues to this day. The Malla dynasty is ousted by King Prithvi Narayan Shah, but the tradition of revering the Goddess Kumari is continued by the conquerors. Until 2008, the Shah King goes to the Kumari to receive tika on his forehead. -
DUKAS_189430810_NUR
Toddler ‘Aryatara Shakya’ Is Anointed As “Kumari” The Living Goddess After Undergoing Ancient Ritual
Two-and-a-half-year-old Aryatara Shakya, in red regalia, is escorted to the Taleju Bhawani Temple in Kathmandu Durbar Square, Nepal, on September 30, 2025, to formally anoint her as the new Royal Kumari, the living goddess of Nepal. Nepal has a unique tradition of worshipping the ''Kumari,'' the living goddess, who is appointed at certain intervals following a strict selection process. A young Newar girl with no blemishes is chosen to represent the Goddess Kumari as an incarnation of Goddess Taleju, the tutelary deity of the Malla dynasty and the Shah dynasty, which inherited the tradition. The young candidates from the Shakya caste among the Newars, many as young as four years old, must go through an extremely strict selection process before one of them is chosen to represent the Goddess. She must remain calm and show no signs of fear even when put through scary tests. Once chosen, she has to live within the Kumari Ghar (Kumari's House), her feet must never touch the ground, and she leaves her residence only during certain festivals. She remains a Living Goddess until any form of bleeding occurs, which is usually when she reaches puberty. The Living Goddess is worshipped with great reverence, and even the Shah Kings follow the tradition of receiving tika and blessings from her. Dating back to the 17th century, the practice is institutionalized by a Malla king. Legend has it that King Jaya Prakash Malla, under the influence of alcohol while playing a game with the visiting Goddess Taleju in the form of a human, starts lusting after her. This offends the goddess, and she orders the king to make an oath that he will select a virgin girl within whom she will always reside. The tradition continues to this day. The Malla dynasty is ousted by King Prithvi Narayan Shah, but the tradition of revering the Goddess Kumari is continued by the conquerors. Until 2008, the Shah King goes to the Kumari to receive tika on his forehead, which symbolizes the empowering. (Photo by STR/ -
DUKAS_189430809_NUR
Toddler ‘Aryatara Shakya’ Is Anointed As “Kumari” The Living Goddess After Undergoing Ancient Ritual
Trishna Shakya, the retired Royal Kumari of Kathmandu, is carried back to her home in a palanquin amid a ceremony in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 30, 2025. Nepal has a unique tradition of worshipping the ''Kumari,'' the living goddess, who is appointed at certain intervals following a strict selection process. A young Newar girl with no blemishes is chosen to represent the Goddess Kumari as an incarnation of Goddess Taleju, the tutelary deity of the Malla dynasty and the Shah dynasty, which inherits the tradition. The young candidates from the Shakya caste among the Newars, many as young as four years old, must go through an extremely strict selection process before one of them is chosen to represent the Goddess. She must remain calm and show no signs of fear even when put through scary tests. Once chosen, she lives within the Kumari Ghar (Kumari's House), her feet must never touch the ground, and she leaves her residence only during certain festivals. She remains a Living Goddess until any form of bleeding occurs, which is usually when she reaches puberty. The Living Goddess is worshipped with great reverence, and even the Shah Kings follow the tradition of receiving tika and blessings from her. Dating back to the 17th century, the practice is institutionalized by a Malla king. Legend has it that King Jaya Prakash Malla, under the influence of alcohol while playing a game with the visiting Goddess Taleju in the form of a human, starts lusting after her. This offends the goddess, and she orders the king to make an oath that he will select a virgin girl within whom she will always reside. The tradition continues to this day. The Malla dynasty is ousted by King Prithvi Narayan Shah, but the tradition of revering the Goddess Kumari is continued by the conquerors. Until 2008, the Shah King goes to the Kumari to receive tika on his forehead, which symbolizes the empowering of the monarch. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto) -
DUKAS_189430808_NUR
Toddler ‘Aryatara Shakya’ Is Anointed As “Kumari” The Living Goddess After Undergoing Ancient Ritual
Trishna Shakya, the retired Royal Kumari of Kathmandu, is carried back to her home in a palanquin amid a ceremony in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 30, 2025. Nepal has a unique tradition of worshipping the ''Kumari,'' the living goddess, who is appointed at certain intervals following a strict selection process. A young Newar girl with no blemishes is chosen to represent the Goddess Kumari as an incarnation of Goddess Taleju, the tutelary deity of the Malla dynasty and the Shah dynasty, which inherits the tradition. The young candidates from the Shakya caste among the Newars, many as young as four years old, must go through an extremely strict selection process before one of them is chosen to represent the Goddess. She must remain calm and show no signs of fear even when put through scary tests. Once chosen, she lives within the Kumari Ghar (Kumari's House), her feet must never touch the ground, and she leaves her residence only during certain festivals. She remains a Living Goddess until any form of bleeding occurs, which is usually when she reaches puberty. The Living Goddess is worshipped with great reverence, and even the Shah Kings follow the tradition of receiving tika and blessings from her. Dating back to the 17th century, the practice is institutionalized by a Malla king. Legend has it that King Jaya Prakash Malla, under the influence of alcohol while playing a game with the visiting Goddess Taleju in the form of a human, starts lusting after her. This offends the goddess, and she orders the king to make an oath that he will select a virgin girl within whom she will always reside. The tradition continues to this day. The Malla dynasty is ousted by King Prithvi Narayan Shah, but the tradition of revering the Goddess Kumari is continued by the conquerors. Until 2008, the Shah King goes to the Kumari to receive tika on his forehead, which symbolizes the empowering of the monarch. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto) -
DUKAS_189430793_NUR
Toddler ‘Aryatara Shakya’ Is Anointed As “Kumari” The Living Goddess After Undergoing Ancient Ritual
Aryatara Shakya, two and a half years old, in red regalia, is carried by her father as she is brought to the Taleju Bhawani Temple in Kathmandu Durbar Square, Nepal, on September 30, 2025, to formally anoint her as the new Royal Kumari, the living goddess of Nepal. Nepal has a unique tradition of worshipping the ''Kumari,'' the living goddess, who is appointed at certain intervals following a strict selection process. A young Newar girl with no blemishes is chosen to represent the Goddess Kumari as an incarnation of Goddess Taleju, the tutelary deity of the Malla dynasty and the Shah dynasty, which inherited the tradition. The young candidates from the Shakya caste among the Newars, many as young as four years old, must go through an extremely strict selection process before one of them is chosen to represent the Goddess. She must remain calm and show no signs of fear even when put through scary tests. Once chosen, she has to live within the Kumari Ghar (Kumari's House), her feet must never touch the ground, and she will leave her residence only during certain festivals. She remains a Living Goddess until any form of bleeding occurs, which is usually when she reaches puberty. The Living Goddess is worshipped with great reverence, and even the Shah Kings follow the tradition of receiving tika and blessings from her. Dating back to the 17th century, the practice is institutionalized by a Malla king. Legend has it that King Jaya Prakash Malla, under the influence of alcohol while playing a game with the visiting Goddess Taleju in the form of a human, starts lusting after her. This offends the goddess, and she orders the king to make an oath that he will select a virgin girl within whom she will always reside. The tradition continues to this day. The Malla dynasty is ousted by King Prithvi Narayan Shah, but the tradition of revering the Goddess Kumari is continued by the conquerors. Until 2008, the Shah King goes to the Kumari to receive tika on his forehead. -
DUKAS_189430792_NUR
Toddler ‘Aryatara Shakya’ Is Anointed As “Kumari” The Living Goddess After Undergoing Ancient Ritual
Aryatara Shakya, two and a half years old, in red regalia, is carried by her father as she is brought to the Taleju Bhawani Temple in Kathmandu Durbar Square, Nepal, on September 30, 2025, to formally anoint her as the new Royal Kumari, the living goddess of Nepal. Nepal has a unique tradition of worshipping the ''Kumari,'' the living goddess, who is appointed at certain intervals following a strict selection process. A young Newar girl with no blemishes is chosen to represent the Goddess Kumari as an incarnation of Goddess Taleju, the tutelary deity of the Malla dynasty and the Shah dynasty, which inherited the tradition. The young candidates from the Shakya caste among the Newars, many as young as four years old, must go through an extremely strict selection process before one of them is chosen to represent the Goddess. She must remain calm and show no signs of fear even when put through scary tests. Once chosen, she has to live within the Kumari Ghar (Kumari's House), her feet must never touch the ground, and she will leave her residence only during certain festivals. She remains a Living Goddess until any form of bleeding occurs, which is usually when she reaches puberty. The Living Goddess is worshipped with great reverence, and even the Shah Kings follow the tradition of receiving tika and blessings from her. Dating back to the 17th century, the practice is institutionalized by a Malla king. Legend has it that King Jaya Prakash Malla, under the influence of alcohol while playing a game with the visiting Goddess Taleju in the form of a human, starts lusting after her. This offends the goddess, and she orders the king to make an oath that he will select a virgin girl within whom she will always reside. The tradition continues to this day. The Malla dynasty is ousted by King Prithvi Narayan Shah, but the tradition of revering the Goddess Kumari is continued by the conquerors. Until 2008, the Shah King goes to the Kumari to receive tika on his forehead. -
DUK10148031_030
PEOPLE - Christian Siriano Show an der NY Fashion Week
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Gregory Pace/Shutterstock (12803036fl)
Tika the Iggy, fashion influencer
Christian Siriano show, Front Row, Fall Winter 2022, New York Fashion Week, USA - 12 Feb 2022
(c) Dukas -
DUK10148031_015
PEOPLE - Christian Siriano Show an der NY Fashion Week
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Gregory Pace/Shutterstock (12803036bs)
Hannah Waddingham with Tika the Iggy, fashion influencer
Christian Siriano show, Front Row, Fall Winter 2022, New York Fashion Week, USA - 12 Feb 2022
(c) Dukas -
DUK10103037_036
PEOPLE - Melissa McCarthy bei der Fox Searchlight Party in Toronto
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Todd Williamson/January Images/REX/Shutterstock (9878128ca)
Tika Sumpter, Casey Affleck, James D. Stern, Chairman of Fox Searchlight Nancy Utley, David Lowery, Sissy Spacek,
Fox Searchlight Party, Toronto International Film Festival, USA - 09 Sep 2018
(c) Dukas -
DUK10103037_030
PEOPLE - Melissa McCarthy bei der Fox Searchlight Party in Toronto
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Todd Williamson/January Images/REX/Shutterstock (9878128bo)
Tika Sumpter, Sissy Spacek, Casey Affleck
Fox Searchlight Party, Toronto International Film Festival, USA - 09 Sep 2018
(c) Dukas -
DUK10103037_019
PEOPLE - Melissa McCarthy bei der Fox Searchlight Party in Toronto
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Stacey Newman/REX/Shutterstock (9878124s)
Steve Gilula, Tika Sumpter and David Lowery
Fox Searchlight Party, Toronto International Film Festival, USA - 09 Sep 2018
Fox Searchlight 'The Old Man and the Gun' and 'Can You Ever Forgive Me' Party
(c) Dukas -
DUK10103037_004
PEOPLE - Melissa McCarthy bei der Fox Searchlight Party in Toronto
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Todd Williamson/January Images/REX/Shutterstock (9878128cd)
Tika Sumpter, Casey Affleck, James D. Stern, Chairman of Fox Searchlight Nancy Utley, David Lowery, Sissy Spacek,
Fox Searchlight Party, Toronto International Film Festival, USA - 09 Sep 2018
(c) Dukas -
DUK10095635_012
PEOPLE - BET Awards: Die Show auf der Bühne
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Michael Buckner/Variety/REX/Shutterstock (9726158gk)
Omari Hardwick and Tika Sumpter
BET Awards, Show, Los Angeles, USA - 24 Jun 2018
(c) Dukas -
DUK10095635_008
PEOPLE - BET Awards: Die Show auf der Bühne
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Michael Buckner/Variety/REX/Shutterstock (9726158gl)
Omari Hardwick and Tika Sumpter
BET Awards, Show, Los Angeles, USA - 24 Jun 2018
(c) Dukas -
DUK10095635_007
PEOPLE - BET Awards: Die Show auf der Bühne
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Michael Buckner/Variety/REX/Shutterstock (9726158gm)
Omari Hardwick and Tika Sumpter
BET Awards, Show, Los Angeles, USA - 24 Jun 2018
(c) Dukas -
DUKAS_35080781_BEI
Heidi Klum's 13th Annual Halloween Party, New York, America - 31 Oct 2013
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Henry Lamb/Photowire/BEImages (1810354be)
Tika Sumpter
Heidi Klum's 13th Annual Halloween Party, New York, America - 31 Oct 2013
(FOTO: DUKAS/BEIMAGES)
DUKAS/BEI