Travel costs Nepal goddess a title

KATMANDU, Nepal — A 10-year-old Nepalese girl was stripped of her title as a living goddess because she traveled overseas to promote a documentary about the centuries-old tradition, an official said Tuesday.

Sajani Shakya's status was revoked because she broke with tradition by leaving the country, said Jaiprasad Regmi, chief of the government trust that manages the affairs of the living goddesses.

Sajani is among several "Kumaris," or living goddesses, in Nepal, and as one of the kingdom's top three, is forbidden from leaving the country. However, in June, she went to the United States and other countries to promote a British documentary about the living goddesses of the Katmandu Valley. She is to return to Nepal this week.

"We have begun the process to search for a new Kumari," Regmi said.

Ishbel Whitaker, director of the film "Living Goddess," said she was saddened by the news and would make sure the girl's education was provided for. "Nobody ever said the Kumari can't travel," she said by telephone from London.

Whitaker said she and her crew filmed in Bhaktapur for a year. "We had been speaking with people we felt were authorities, and now these others are claiming they are," she said.

The film crew consulted anthropologists, the head priests of Sajani's temple and her parents, the director said, adding that the Nepalese Embassy helped arrange Sajani's trip to the United States.

Living goddesses are worshipped by Hindus and Buddhists. They are required to have perfect skin, hair, eyes and teeth, they shouldn't have scars or wounds, and shouldn't be afraid of the dark. They always wear red and pin up their hair in topknots. A "third eye" is painted on their forehead.

Living goddesses usually keep their title until their first menstruation.

The main Kumari lives a sequestered life in a palatial temple in the capital, Katmandu. Others such as Sajani are allowed to stay at home, attend regular school and take part in festivals.

The government last year announced a monthly pension of $40 for serving and retired Kumaris. Previously, the main Kumari received only a gold coin during an annual festival and the other girls received whatever was offered by devotees.

Nepalese folklore holds that a man who marries a former Kumari will die young, so many girls remain unmarried and face a life of hardship.

Material from Reuters is included in this report.