Lalitpur district on Monday selected a new Kumari, regarded as the living goddess in Nepal.  

Five-year-old Nihira Bajracharya of Lalitpur has been selected as the new Kumari. Currently Yunika Bajracharya is the Kumari of Lalitpur. A Kumari selection committee in Hakhabahal of Lalitpur selected the new Kumari, said Lalitpur Taleju priest Niran Rajopadhya.

According to Kumari tradition, a young girl is held Kumari until she reaches her puberty. The current Kumari was selected four years ago.

Rajopadhya said that the new Kumari will be officially instituted to the revered position on 17 February.

Young girls from Bajracharya and Shakya clan of Newar ethnicity are selected as living goddess.

Photos: Elite Joshi