Nepal’s living goddess, devotees untouched by earthquake

Kumari Ghar withstood the devastating earthquake that struck Nepal last week

KATHMANDU: The 7.9-magnitude earthquake that hit Nepal last week affected millions but didn't change things in Basantpur Durbar Square, a place for the daily worship of Kumari, Nepal's living virgin goddess.

Even after the quake took over 7,000 lives while leaving much of Nepal in ruins, Kumari's pooja (worship) continues at Kumari Ghar- a three-storey architectural wonder which remained untouched whereas most of the temples and old palaces around it turned into rubbles.

Read: Eight million people may be affected by Nepal earthquake, says UN

The seven year old Kumari is worshipped every morning as Taleju, a form of Durga (the invincible). Believers known as karmacharyas (Newar priests) from Telaju Temple visit her abode with flowers and prasad to seek blessings.

PHOTO: CHRIS PUTRO

Kumari was blessing her devotees on the first floor of her house when the earthquake struck. Believing in her powers, Gautam Shakya an 11th generation caretaker of Kumari said "Kumari Ghar withstood the devastating earthquake because of Kumari's powers."

According to Shakya, mostly Chinese tourists were present in Kumari Ghar when the house started swaying and the tourists were asked to "think of Kumari and hold on to the wooden pillars tight." Kumari and her worshippers remained unharmed throughout the tremors.

PHOTO: REUTERS

The quake didn't stop Dipesh Munakari from marrying his French bride Eugenie Prouvost in Kathmandu. PHOTO: AP

Read: Rising from the rubble in Nepal

Even though the city states of Bhaktapur and Patan have separate Kumaris, the Kathmandu Kumari is regarded as the most important as even kings seek her blessings by touching her feet in public during the festival of Indra Jatra.

PHOTO: REUTERS

The fact that Kumari Ghar stands strong while all other temples around it have disappeared is what astonishes  believers. The list of destroyed temples includes Kasthamandap which gave Kathmandu its name, Dusavatar, Maanju Deval (Shiva), Narayan, and Krishna temples.

Shakya, the chairman of Indra Jatra Management Committee, and Rajen Maharjan, 43, of Hanuman Dhoka Development Committee, said they would try to restore all lost temples. "We've artisans who can do it." Notices have been put up asking people not to take away old bricks and delicately carved wood from the complex.

This article originally appeared on The Times of India