The Living Goddess: Nepal's Kumari and the Malla Kings

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the origins and significance of the Kumari, Nepal's living goddess. They trace the tradition back to the Malla period, focusing on the 18th-century legend of King Jaya Prakash Malla and the goddess Taleju. The conversation covers the rigorous selection process, the daily life of a Kumari, and the political role she played in the Malla kingdoms, including how she was used to legitimize power. They also discuss how the tradition continued under the Shah dynasty and into modern times, including the impact of the 2015 earthquake and recent controversies around the retirement age. Along the way, they touch on the three main Kumaris of Kathmandu Valley, the symbolism of the red adornments, and the balance between religious devotion and child rights.

#History #FexingoHistory #Nepal #Kumari #LivingGoddess #Taleju #JayaPrakashMalla #Malla #Kathmandu #Bhaktapur #Patan #Newar #Hinduism #Buddhism #ChildRights #2015Earthquake #SouthAsia #CulturalHistory

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