Overview
- On Tuesday, crowds escorted Aryatara from her Kathmandu home to the Kumari Residence during Dashain/Indra Jatra, offering flowers and money and touching her feet in reverence.
- The choice followed Newar tradition led by Hindu and Buddhist priests with an astrologer, selecting a child aged two to four who meets strict attributes such as flawless features and fearlessness.
- Aryatara, 2 years and 8 months old, will embody the goddess Taleju and appear on festival chariots, with public blessings due to begin this week.
- Outgoing Kumari Trishna Shakya, now 11, relinquished the role after serving since 2017 and was carried out in a palanquin.
- The role entails seclusion with limited outings, though recent changes allow private tutoring and limited media access, and retired Kumaris receive a small government pension.