Kathmandu: Nepal`s famous Kumaris, young prepubescent girls considered by devotees to be incarnations of a Hindu goddess, will now get retirement benefits.
Kumaris, also known as "living goddess", will receive Rs 10,000 from July under the Kathmandu Metropolitan City`s fresh budgetary allocation.
"Kathmandu Metropolitan Corporation has decided to provide Rs 10,000 monthly stipend to retired Kumaris," civic body`s CEO Laxman Aryal said. The decision was taken during the annual general meeting of the KMC on Monday.
Around 10 retired Kumaris will be benefited from the scheme.
The Kumaris, regarded as the reincarnation of Goddess Taleju a form of Goddess Bhagwati, are selected at an early age and have to go through many rituals to attain the title.
The Kumaris retire from the title after getting their first menstruation and as per the tradition a girl cannot marry after attaining the title.
A Kumari also has to leave her education and spend most of her time in religious ceremonies.
Almost every day hundreds of devotees visit the Kumari Ghar, the house of Kumaris in Kathmandu, to seek their blessing.
The Living Goddess also attracts hundreds of foreign tourists. However, the Kumaris do not get any type of benefit.
