The selection process for her is especially rigorous. 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 Kumari is revered and worshiped by some of the country's Hindus too. In Nepal, a Kumari is a prepubescent girl selected from the Shakya caste of the Nepalese Newari Buddhist community. The festival is celebrated during Kumari Jantra, which follows the Indra Jatri religious ceremony. The procession is akin to Indra or Sakra, taking Indrani to his celestial abode as his bride. The word Kumari is derived from Sanskrit meaning princess. It is believed that the girl is possessed by the goddess Taleju or Durga. Kumari, or Kumari Devi, or the Living Goddess, is the tradition of worshipping a chosen virgin as manifestations of the divine female energy or Shakti in Dharmic religious traditions. For the 2008 film, see Living Goddess (film).
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