Ekanta Kumari (The living Goddess of Bhaktapur)
Ekanta Kumari (The living Goddess of Bhaktapur) is revered as a living deity in the ancient city of Bhaktapur. The daughters from the Shakya and Bajracharya households, ranging in age from two to eight, are chosen to be the living goddess. The females are picked based on their favorable birth signs, other skills, and with the approval of their guardians .According to custom, on the day of the Gathasthapana of the Bada Dashain Festival (Mohani Nakha:), Bhaktapur’s Ekanta Kumari is taken to Basantapur’s Kumari Ghar, where she remains for the duration of the celebration.
As the only Living Goddess in the world, the Goddess Kumari, or living manifestation of Goddess Taleju, is venerated and worshipped. Nepal is a country rich in heritage and culture. In Sanskrit, the word “Kumari” implies virgin. Including “the goddess of beauty and strength,” “the manifestation of goddess Taleju Bhawani,” and many others she is referred to as the Living Goddess . As worshiped “Kumari” or the Living Goddess up until the time of her first period, which is thought to be the moment the Goddess leaves a girl’s body.”The girl whose feet never touch the ground” By doing puja, presenting gifts and food, and getting Tika and blessings from the young girl regarded as Goddess Kumari, she is revered.
There have been distinct Kumaris in each of the three cities in the valley since the Malla Era. Goddess Kumari is revered as Taleju Bhawani‘s idol. Every day, Kathmandu‘s King Jaya Prakash Malla (12th-17th century) would play Pasa (Pachisi) with Taleju Bhawani.
When the king once offered marriage to Taleju Bhawani while they were having fun rolling dice, The king’s wife once followed him as he was rolling the dice and spotted the Goddess who had prevented the monarch from informing anybody about their meeting. This infuriated the Goddess , who issued a warning if the monarch ever desired to visit her again or obtain security for his realm.
The king asked Magda Akashvani for forgiveness, apologized, and promised that he would have a Virgin birth in the Shakya and Bajracharya family. However, the creator of Taleju, the custom of worshiping Ekantha Kumari in Bhaktapur dates back to Nepal Samvat 611 (1491), under the reign of King Raya Malla. It is customary for a female of Shakya ancestry or a Bajracharya from Bhaktapur to serve as Taleju Kumari’s Matrakumari. Tradition dictates that the girl who will become a virgin should possess all of the virtues, be free of any wounds or scars, and have no physical limitations. If a girl who is willing to become a virgin does not fall unwell after having a Taleju flower placed on her head with the family’s consent, she should be selected for Virginity. After being chosen, the recluse is required to reside in the Kumari’s home at Prashansheel Bihar in Bhaktapur from the start of Dashain to the Purnima (Full moon). however according to custom, she is also permitted to reside there on other days.
From Prashanshil Bihar transported to Chaturbramha Mahabihar in the early hours of the morning on the day of Ghatasthapana at Layaku (Bhaktapur Durbar Square). Then, after taking it from Bihar to Taleju Temple, he worships it there. The only age range for girls who can become Virgins is three to eight. From the moment they decide to remain virgins until they get married, they are virgins. The Kumari Jatra, which honors 11 virgins who are revered as living Goddesses on the day of Maha Nawami, includes worshipping Goddess Ekantha Kumari, Bhairav, and Bhaktapur’s Ganesha. In this way, She transforms into Golmadhi for the duration of the Kumari Jatra, houses the lone Goddess Kumari in Chasukhel’s home, and does puja. From the palace, Ju:Ju: (the king) arrives to Durupo Dyo: remains in Ju:Ju Falcha while his ministers visit and pay respect to the Virgin. Ju:Ju: performs ritualistic devotion to Goddess Taleju while transporting the Virgins there in this manner.
Additionally, it is customary to ride to the Dashainghar at Kumari Chowk, west of Mulchok in Taleju Temple, to worship Kumari with Joshi, Rajopadhyay, and Karmacharya Pujari Nikes. All of the devotees residing at the Kumari home in front of the Adipadma Mahabihar in Suryamadhi receive darshan from him on the day of Vijaya Dashami. The name Ekant Kumari was given to this Virgins according to a tradition. Once, the Virgins appeared along with the shepherds as they returned carrying goats and sheep. A Virgin is among them, lost in the midst of the street. The lost Virgins arrived by herself to Chasukhel when they got there and was perfected. This Kumari has since been referred to as Ekant Kumari.