INTRODUCTION

The Kumari (Sanskrit, कुमारी , literally: "girl") has been considered in Nepal since the 16th century as an incarnation of the fearsome Hindu goddess Taleju, who in Nepal represents a form of Durga. The beginnings of this tradition go back to the 14th century. In addition to Kathmandu, Kumaris can also be found in Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Bungamati, Kwa Bahal, and Tokha, among others.The Kumari is known as the child goddess because it concerns pre-pubescent girls from the age of 2 to 4, as the goddess status expires with menarche.