Newar

Since the 14th century, girls as young as 2 have been chosen from Buddhist families from the Newar community living in the Kathmandu Valley.

“Under Buddhist culture children are protectors,” said Chunda Bajracharya, a retired professor of the Newar language who is not related to the former kumari.

When it came time to deify a new young girl in Patan, all 150 families in the Ratnakar Mahavihar Hakhabahal community there, part of the Newar clan, were invited to bring their female children to an elaborate selection trial.

Ms. Bajracharya, who stepped down at 15, still commands respect in the Newar community of Patan.

During the pandemic, Ms Shreshta says, officials violated a Supreme Court order and or went ahead with the demolition of 46 houses in the Newar's traditional settlements in the Kathmandu valley, making way for a new road.