jdhmnovel Chapter 127 Living Goddess
Chapter 127 Living Goddess
Since Sister Xiaotao and her friends bought a lot of gem souvenirs and other things, the tour guide also got some benefit from it, and he should have received quite a bit of kickbacks.
So he decided to take Li Fugui and Xiao Tao to meet the living goddess.
While traveling in Nepal, I heard about the chance to see the "Living Goddess," and my heart was instantly filled with curiosity and anticipation. The "Living Goddess," called "Kumari" in Nepali, is the embodiment of a protective deity in the hearts of the local people. She sits at the altar, worshipped by thousands, a mysterious and unreachable presence.
Zhang Nan was surprised and delighted. Is it true? Is it so convenient to meet a living goddess?
Doesn’t the living goddess only appear on major holidays?
The tour guide told the truth embarrassedly, that what he could take us to see were the retired living goddesses, and now many of them were living behind the palace.
A retired living goddess is still a goddess. Zhang Bei excitedly pulled Xiao Xing to walk in front and said with a smile, "Let's go and take a look, let's go and take a look."
So, everyone followed the tour guide to see what Nepal's living goddess looks like.
The living goddess of Nepal is called Kumari.
The legend of its origin is that Jayaprakash Malla, the last king of the Malla dynasty, was playing a dice game with the royal guardian goddess Taleju. The queen accidentally saw the goddess and angered her. Before leaving, the goddess said she would possess a girl from the Sakya tribe. After that, the king began to look for the goddess Kumari.
There are certain criteria for selecting living goddesses, including their origin: they must be from the goldsmith caste of the Sakya clan.
Physical requirements: no ihi or bahrah experience, no bleeding or illness, auspicious astrological signs at birth, no birthmarks, straight teeth and no missing teeth, and the body meets 32 beautiful characteristics.
The most important point is that the zodiac sign matches the king.
The selection process is quite strict. The priest selects several two-year-old girls with regular features and no disabilities, and purifies their souls in the temple, accompanied by the dancing and weird shouting of men in strange clothes and ferocious expressions. If a girl shows no fear, worry or joy, she will be locked in a room with a buffalo head and blood sprinkled on it. If she can still remain calm after a night, she will be the chosen Kumari goddess.
Their daily lives are very strict.
For example, the clothing and makeup: you need to wear a red dress, silver jewelry on your head, use gems to embellish a "third eye" on your forehead, outline black eye makeup extending to your temples, put a red mole between your eyebrows, paint your feet red, and draw thick black eyeliner.
There are also behavioral rules: Emotions cannot be shown at any time, and speaking is prohibited. Any sudden movement could portend misfortune for the believer. Passengers must travel in sedan chairs, with their feet off the ground. Daily care is provided by volunteers. There are only thirteen parades a year to meet with believers, and attendance at school is prohibited.
There are strict regulations for the reign and abdication of the living goddess. Responsibilities during her reign: During her tenure, the Kumari needs to sit in the temple and accept worship from believers. Her every move is regarded as the will of God, and believers will judge whether it is auspicious or inauspicious based on her reaction to gifts.
Abdication conditions: Once menarche or bleeding occurs, it means abdication.
After retirement, you can be more relaxed.
The government provides a monthly allowance of 6000 rupees and a monthly education allowance of 1000 rupees to working Kumaris. After retirement, the allowance is 3000 rupees per month, which is enjoyed for life.
However, most of the living goddesses face difficulties in life: due to their long-term disconnection from society, lack of life skills and education, and local superstition that men who marry the previous Kumari will die of coughing up blood within 6 months, their lives after retirement are often lonely and difficult.
The life of retired Nepalese soldiers is difficult, mainly reflected in the following aspects: Economically - Limited income: Although the government will provide a certain allowance, such as around 3000 rupees per month, it is significantly less than the salary when they were working. Moreover, with the development of society and the rise in prices, these allowances can often only maintain basic living.
Difficulty in finding employment: They have lived in temples for a long time and lack the knowledge and skills required in modern society, making it difficult for them to find suitable jobs to increase their income.
Social aspect - Change in family attitude: Some families used to be proud of having a living goddess in the family, but after retirement, they may change their attitude due to traditional beliefs that it brings uncleanness or bad luck to the family, so that the retired living goddess may not receive the due support and care at home.
- Social prejudice and discrimination: There is a superstitious belief among the people that men who marry retired living goddesses will die early. This leads to them being neglected in the marriage market, making it difficult for them to start families, and it is common for them to die alone.
- Difficulty in social integration: Years of temple life have left them disconnected from the outside world. They lack understanding of social norms and popular culture, and lack social skills, making it difficult for them to integrate into normal social circles. Psychologically, - Status gap: The dramatic change in status from being a living goddess worshipped by thousands to returning to ordinary life can easily cause them to experience a psychological gap, leading to feelings of loss, confusion, and helplessness.
- Psychological trauma: During their time as living goddesses, their lives are subject to many strict restrictions, and they have to suppress their emotions and needs for a long time. This may leave trauma on them and affect their quality of life and mental health after retirement.
The goddess that the tour guide brought me to see was a young girl who had just retired. She was very beautiful, about fourteen or fifteen years old, and a little shy.
Stepping into the elegantly decorated room, filled with the faint aroma of incense, I felt so nervous that my hands unconsciously clenched the corners of my clothes. She appeared before me, dressed in a traditional sari, a red and gold splendid yet dignified color scheme. Detailed sunlight filtered through the carved window lattices, gently casting a halo of purity around her.
Her facial features are bright and attractive, and her eyes are like deep pools, hiding the tranquility of years. But the childishness that occasionally flashes between her eyebrows reveals traces of the past years when her innocence was imprisoned.
Sister Xiaotao smiled and gave the little girl a few gems, and she immediately became happy.
She was still young when she retired, leaving behind a life of seclusion and receiving offerings, and returning to ordinary life, a struggle unknown to many. Once revered as a deity, never touching the earth, to now having to cope with the daily grind of food and clothing and face the complex gazes of the world—the difference is truly immense.
Everyone came forward to greet her with awe. She responded gracefully with a gentle smile on her face, breaking the layer of restraint and alienation in Sister Tao's heart caused by awe.
Zhang Nan asked the tour guide to tell her that they wanted to take a photo together as a keepsake. Xiao Tao was nervous, afraid of being abrupt and offensive. But she happily agreed, meticulously helping Xiao Tao adjust her clothes and gently reminding her to stand properly. In that moment, the image of the once unattainable "living goddess" gradually merged with the friendly and approachable girl before her.
After striking a pose, the camera clicked, capturing this profoundly meaningful moment. In the photo, Sister Tao smiles a bit reservedly, yet her demeanor is graceful, her eyes calm and resolute, a silent tale of past legends and present rebirth.
After taking the photo, I talked with her and listened to her talk about the lonely days and nights in the temple, the confusion and helplessness when she abdicated, and her efforts to integrate into secular society.
She educated herself on cultural knowledge, tried to make friends, went to the market to experience the atmosphere of everyday life, and reshaped herself through setbacks and setbacks. Along the way, she was lonely but resilient, like a bird soaring alone through thorns, its wings bruised but yearning for the vast, clear sky.
Later, this photo was placed on Sister Xiaotao's bedside and became the most dazzling treasure in her travel memories.
Whenever our eyes meet, that afternoon comes to mind, and I am filled with emotion.
For the Nepalese people, the “living goddess” system carries faith;
For Yu Xiaotao, a traveler from a foreign land, meeting her after she retired was a gift from fate.
She not only symbolizes the ancient mysterious tradition, but is also a living example of bravely breaking the shackles of fate and achieving nirvana and rebirth.
This photo isn't just a frozen moment; it's a bond that transcends culture and class, connecting gods and humans, past and present. It serves as a constant reminder to Sister Tao: no matter what challenges life throws at us, with courage and hope, we can, like this retired "living goddess," step down from the altar and blossom into the ordinary world.