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| Thread: We don't know about them but they exist | |
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Lady_Milena
Honorable
Known Hero
Grannie Sweet Cheeks
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posted July 25, 2006 07:14 PM |
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We don't know about them but they exist
Like the 'fun facts' these are curious nudgets. Unlike the 'fun facts', these come with a background and you can't sum them up in a single sentence. Various cultures have stunning stories and practices. There are endless examples from history too, great people whose influence we didn't know about. Here's one of them. If this thread isn't left behind forgotten I've got more stories lined up.
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KUMARI
This little Nepalese girl is also known as the Kumari Devi of Kathmandu. She is known as a goddess, worshipped by Hindu and Buddhist people.
This tradition has started in the 13th century even though it was established as it is now barely 4 centuries ago. In the bottomline of it lies the veneration of virginity in Nepal. I won't bore you with the details of the legends; I'm sure you can find them yourselves. The gist is that for as long as a Kumari is in power, she is the avatar (body vessel) of the goddess Durga.
At the time of their selection Kumari are all very little girls (usually 4-7 years old). They have to be by all means by the Shakya caste which comprises of silver and goldsmiths. The future Kumari should not only be a prepubescent virgin but also someone who has never been sick or shed blood. She must not have any physical deformities either. A potential Kumari is expected to have a set of 40 teeth, small sexual organs, delcate hands and feet, smooth and blemishless skin. Very black eyes and hair are a must. In addition to this she must cover 32 other poetic prerequisite concerning her appearance. In other words she must be a beautiful little girl.
This is when the true test starts. The girl must show exceptional courage and serenity. There is a ritual when 108 buffalos are sacrifised and the candidate must not show a sign of terror or disgust. If she does well, she is left to pick up the belongings of the former Kumari. If she passes this final test, she's installed as the next Kumari, the living goddess of Nepal.
The Kumari's ultimate role is to ensure the well-being of her worshippers. She is a goddess and she's believed to have sacred powers. Every mimic and token of hers are enterpreted. Any hint of emotion when audienced is a bad omen. She is supposed to leave her royal palace only twice a year to give blessings to the common folk from her palanquin.
As for her everyday life, secluded in her palace she has very limited contact with the world outside. She's a goddess, so her life has nothing to do with what it was before she was selected. There is a set protocol for her clothing, hairstyle, makeup and food. Kumari of course doesn't go to school even though recently tutors were introduced to the girls. No Kumari can be forced into anything at all, so it's up to her to take interest in studying, or playing, or anything else. Every wish of hers must be granted, no one can argue or disagree with her. Nothing but respect and reverence can be displayed to her. A goddess cannot be chided or reprimanded or ordered to do stuff. It's all totally up to her. It's also up to her to appear at her window to reveal her face to the public, an act considered a divine blessing. Her audiences are always very formal and she's often visited by high-ranking officials. She's paid a mandatory visit by the King at least once a year.
A Kumari's divinity ends abruptly with her first bleeding. Menstruation is the most obvious cause but even a cut to make her shed blood betokens she's a mortal being. Within a few days she's stripped of all her powers and returned to her family to lead the life of an ordinary woman and hope to catch up with the rest of the girls her age. Reintegration may be a very hard process though because a Kumari is illiterate, uneducated and not used to communicating with common folk. Luckily she is granted a decent pension until the end of her days. Many former Kumari do not manage to marry because of a supersticion that her husband will die young.
This tradition still exists nowadays and there is a Kumari in Nepal right now called Preeti Shakya. Since she ascended as a goddess 5 years ago it's likely she'll lose her divine title very soon.
(And I don't envy her then)
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This is it for now, if you have a curious but little-known story such as this one, please share. 
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God does not need exist to save us...
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TnT_Addict
Honorable
Supreme Hero
Beautiful Liar
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posted July 25, 2006 10:08 PM |
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Whoa!? 
I thought this was going to be about smart blondes or honorable lawyers, cause maybe we don't know about them but they also could exist 
And there you go about little godlike girls  , how bout expanding a bit about bigfoot? How BIG are his feet? And does he have anything bigger than his feet...? 
Ooh ooh how about giant midgets and gigantic kittens? I know Iris saw one already...
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click and help me out!! Thanks!!
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