Kathmandu: Nepal's Supreme Court has ordered an inquiry into whether the centuries-old tradition of worshipping a virgin girl as a "living goddess" violates child rights.
The Supreme Court has directed the government to submit a detailed report on possible child rights violations during the traditional 'Kumari Puja' ritual within three months, an official said.
A Buddhist girl child of about three-five years of age is selected through traditional procedure and declared as a 'living goddess'. The girl is worshipped by the Hindus and the Buddhists alike as a 'Kumari'.
She is also known as the incarnation of Taleju or the Goddess of Power. She has to leave her family and cannot attend regular school.
People worship the girl for power, wealth and good fortune. The 'Kumari' stays in a 16th century house called 'Kumari Ghar' located in the city and accepts pujas from the King and the citizens during Dusshera.
However, critics are against putting a young girl away in isolation, violating her basic human rights. The child misses her friends, school and her normal life is restricted, they say, adding that the allowances given to her is also insufficient.
However, a separate group argues that the child is given proper care, education and a life of dignity dignity. She gets maintenance allowance and can rejoin her family on reaching puberty.
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