The Living Goddess Kumari
Kumari, or Kumari Devi, or Living Goddess is the tradition of worshipping young pre-pubescent girls as manifestations of the divine female energy or devi in hindu religious traditions. The word Kumari is derived from the Sanskriti Kaumarya, meaning "princess".
A Kumari is a pre-pubescent girl selected from the Shakya caste or Bajracharya clan of the Nepalese Newari community. The Kumari is revered and worshiped by some of the country's Hindus as well as the Nepali Buddhist, though not the Tibetan Buddhist. While there are several Kumaris throughout Nepal, with some cities having several, the best known is the Royal Kumari of Kathmandu, and she lives in the Kumari Ghar, a palace in the center of the city. The selection process for her is especially rigorous. As of 2010, the Royal Kumari was Matina Shakya.