Kathmandu – Living Goddess Kumari Aryatara Shakya will formally assume her throne today.

The two-and-a-half-year-old living goddess from Itumbahal will be enthroned at the Kumari Ghar during an auspicious midday hour with traditional rituals. After the ceremony, she will be taken in a procession with musical instruments to visit the Taleju Bhawani Temple for blessings.

Since the time of King Jaya Prakash Malla, the Kumari has been worshipped as a living goddess and is regarded as a symbol of Goddess Mahalaxmi.

Aryatara was selected as the new Kumari following traditional procedures, with consultations among the Guthi Sansthan, the Panchang Decision Committee, and other concerned bodies.

According to tradition, the Head of State also visits the Kumari on the occasion of Kojagrat Purnima.