Nepal's child goddessees.

• Position: The Big Picture - Brief article

The girl in this photo is not your typical 6-year-old. In Nepal, she's considered a kumari, a living goddess who can heal the sick and see into the future. Kumaris are believed to embody a female deity revered by both Hindus and Buddhists, and the worship of kumaris dates back to at least the 10th century across South Asia. Today, the tradition exists only in Nepal, and it's waning. The girls--there are currently 10--are chosen by priests based on their lineage and horoscope, and they're sought out daily by people for blessings of protection and prosperity. Kumaris can't leave their houses except to attend festivals, and even then can't touch the ground (see box). They're supposed to resume a normal life once the goddess is thought to have left their bodies--when they bleed for the first time, either from a cut or when they reach puberty--but retired kumaris...