2013- We make our way to Durbar Square in Kathmandu. Along with many historic temples in the square, this is where the Temple of the Living Goddess resides. She was a 12 year old girl named Kauri. She was chosen at to be the goddess at the age of 3. We learn there are many children tested until the true one is found. The harshest test is for a child to remain in darkness for days surrounded by snakes. During the time men jump out and try to scare her. To pass she must remain calm.
This child passed the tests and became to Goddess. Kauri remains in the temple with her family and can show herself in the third window on the top floor at 4:30 PM. And there she was. A sweet little girl dressed in red. Her eyes looked sad. NO PICTURES ALLOWED. Once a year in September during the festival she is carried through the streets in a parade.
On a happy note, when she becomes a woman, she must leave the temple for good.
There is no way I can smile is this photo, thinking of the little girl, Kauri trapped inside.
100CountryTrek.com 
Good grief. If there was ever a time to fail a test, this is it.
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Heartbreaking site to see.
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Yes, I try not to judge, but that is sad. When I read the beginning of your post, I thought maybe it was a temple remembering a past goddess, and then I realized, no, this is a real little girl.
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Thanks for sharing, but it’s a sad story.
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It was sad.
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Oh so sad…. What a wonderful childhood snatched away by these rituals… She could have been better goddess in the play ground🌼🌼
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A hard life for a child..thanks for your comment.
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I was in Kathmandu last year Anita. A beautiful country. Yes, this is rather sad 😔
Incidentally in 2013 I had visited Ladhak- stunningly beautiful 💖
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Thanks.
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😊💐
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I saw several videos on this on YouTube. After menstruation, when the living goddess has to leave her image of goddess, she was speaking of how sad it was for her to see some other girl enjoying that attention and all of a sudden she had to leave behind all the attention she used to get as goddess.
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This liittle girl didn’t look happy being trapped inside.
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I visited the Kumari of Patan in 2016. My guide took pictures and I left an offering. The 2015 earthquake devastated Patan Durbar Square. I hope repairs are progressing.
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It was a tragic time in 2015…..thanks for stopping by.
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Thanks for sharing.
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What a very strange tradition, hopefully she can have a wonderful life afterward, and all is actually great inside the temple.
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Heart breaking time for little girl…great she can move forward.
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