Source: www.hindustantimes.com
KATHMANDU, NEPAL, March 16, 2020: Chanira Bajracharya, the Living Goddesses of Patan in Lalitpur district neighburing Kathmandu, will be one of nearly 450,000 students appearing for the the school leaving certificate exams in Nepal this year.
Since the Living Goddess is allowed to leave her “palace” only on 19 special occasions in a year, Chanira will appear for the exams in a room of her residence in the presence of examiners.
Chanira is one of the three Kumaris or living goddesses of Nepal who are worshipped by residents till they attain puberty. Chanira was chosen a Kumari ten years ago when she was in second grade. She was shifted from her family home to her palace and her studies continued inside it with the help of tutors.
Started in 17th century by the Malla rulers of Kathmandu Valley, the tradition has continued even after abolition of monarchy in Nepal two years ago.