Kumari is a name given to a chosen virgin in Nepali religious practices. It's believed that Kumari is a manifestation of the divine feminine power or Shakti. It's also known as the Living Goddess
The girl is believed to be possessed by Taleju, or Durga
Kumari literally means princess in Sanskrit
Currently, the 9-year-old Kumari in Kathmandu is the most well-known of the many girls who are worshipped in Nepal
Kumaris are drawn from the Newar community, the original inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley for whom planets
Kumaris are only worshipped for one day in Nepal. Usually one cannot be a Kumari beyond 16 years of age because of menarche
The primary purpose of a kumari puja is the realization of the divine potential in all human beings, especially women