"deity representation"

#12812819

30 September 2025

Former Royal Living Goddess Trishna Shakya is carried from the historic Kumari Ghar to her family home in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 29, 2025, after serving as the Royal Kumari. Her ceremonial farewell includes traditional music, rituals, and processions marking the end of her tenure upon reaching puberty. Revered as the living incarnation of Goddess Taleju, she is worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists. Her successor, 2 1/2 -year-old Aryatara Shakya, is formally enthroned as the new Royal Kumari at Kumari Ghar during the Asthami festival.

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#12812820

30 September 2025

Former Royal Living Goddess Trishna Shakya is seen inside her palanquin as she is carried from the historic Kumari Ghar to her family home in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 29, 2025. The ceremonial farewell features traditional music, rituals, and processions marking the conclusion of her tenure upon reaching puberty. Revered as the living incarnation of Goddess Taleju, she remains an important figure in centuries-old Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Her successor, Aryatara Shakya, 2 1/2 years old, is formally enthroned at Kumari Ghar on the auspicious day of Asthami.

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#12812821

30 September 2025

Former Royal Living Goddess Trishna Shakya is seen inside her palanquin as she is carried from the historic Kumari Ghar to her family home in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 29, 2025. The ceremonial farewell features traditional music, rituals, and processions marking the conclusion of her tenure upon reaching puberty. Revered as the living incarnation of Goddess Taleju, she remains an important figure in centuries-old Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Her successor, Aryatara Shakya, 2 1/2 years old, is formally enthroned at Kumari Ghar on the auspicious day of Asthami.

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#12812822

30 September 2025

Former Royal Living Goddess Trishna Shakya is seen inside her palanquin as she is carried from the historic Kumari Ghar to her family home in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 29, 2025. The ceremonial farewell features traditional music, rituals, and processions marking the conclusion of her tenure upon reaching puberty. Revered as the living incarnation of Goddess Taleju, she remains an important figure in centuries-old Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Her successor, Aryatara Shakya, 2 1/2 years old, is formally enthroned at Kumari Ghar on the auspicious day of Asthami.

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#12812823

30 September 2025

Former Royal Living Goddess Trishna Shakya is welcomed with rituals by her family at her private house in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 30, 2025, following her ceremonial retirement. She is carried from the historic Kumari Ghar with music, rituals, and processions after completing her tenure upon reaching puberty. Celebrated as the living incarnation of Goddess Taleju, she continues to be honored in the centuries-old tradition observed by Hindus and Buddhists alike. Her successor, Aryatara Shakya, 2 1/2 years old, is formally enthroned as the new Royal Kumari at Kumari Ghar on Asthami.

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#12812824

30 September 2025

Former Royal Living Goddess Trishna Shakya is welcomed with rituals by her family at her private house in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 30, 2025, following her ceremonial retirement. She is carried from the historic Kumari Ghar with music, rituals, and processions after completing her tenure upon reaching puberty. Celebrated as the living incarnation of Goddess Taleju, she continues to be honored in the centuries-old tradition observed by Hindus and Buddhists alike. Her successor, Aryatara Shakya, 2 1/2 years old, is formally enthroned as the new Royal Kumari at Kumari Ghar on Asthami.

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#12813101

30 September 2025

Former Royal Living Goddess Trishna Shakya is seen inside her palanquin as she is carried from the historic Kumari Ghar to her family home in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 29, 2025. The ceremonial farewell features traditional music, rituals, and processions marking the conclusion of her tenure upon reaching puberty. Revered as the living incarnation of Goddess Taleju, she remains an important figure in centuries-old Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Her successor, Aryatara Shakya, 2 1/2 years old, is formally enthroned at Kumari Ghar on the auspicious day of Asthami.

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#12813116

30 September 2025

The newly appointed Royal Living Goddess Aryatara Shakya, 2 1/2 years old, is carried from her private house towards the historic Kumari Ghar at Hanumandhoka Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 30, 2025. She succeeds Trishna Shakya, who retires upon reaching puberty and is bid farewell with traditional music and rituals. The Royal Kumari, regarded as the living incarnation of Goddess Taleju, is selected exclusively from the Shakya clan of Kathmandu's 16 bahals through an elaborate process involving the Panchang Committee, Taleju's chief priest, astrologers, and Guthi representatives. A Kumari must embody 32 physical and spiritual perfections, show fearlessness, and bear no bodily marks or flaws. Once enthroned, she lives a highly restricted and sacred life--no longer attending school or playing outside, as such acts are considered ritually impure. Worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists, the Royal Kumari embodies Nepal's centuries-old tradition, symbolizing divine purity, cultural heritage, and continuity of ancient rituals.

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#12813117

30 September 2025

The newly appointed Royal Living Goddess Aryatara Shakya, 2 1/2 years old, is carried from her private house towards the historic Kumari Ghar at Hanumandhoka Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 30, 2025. She succeeds Trishna Shakya, who retires upon reaching puberty and is bid farewell with traditional music and rituals. The Royal Kumari, regarded as the living incarnation of Goddess Taleju, is selected exclusively from the Shakya clan of Kathmandu's 16 bahals through an elaborate process involving the Panchang Committee, Taleju's chief priest, astrologers, and Guthi representatives. A Kumari must embody 32 physical and spiritual perfections, show fearlessness, and bear no bodily marks or flaws. Once enthroned, she lives a highly restricted and sacred life--no longer attending school or playing outside, as such acts are considered ritually impure. Worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists, the Royal Kumari embodies Nepal's centuries-old tradition, symbolizing divine purity, cultural heritage, and continuity of ancient rituals.

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#12809708

29 September 2025

An idol of the Hindu Goddess Durga is reflected on an oil lamp during the second day of worship of the Durga Puja Festival at a temporary structure of worship called a pandal in Kolkata, India, on September 29, 2025.

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#12809712

29 September 2025

An idol of the Hindu Goddess Durga is reflected on an oil lamp during the second day of worship of the Durga Puja Festival at a temporary structure of worship called a pandal in Kolkata, India, on September 29, 2025.

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#12767947

18 September 2025

An artisan works on a Hindu goddess Durga idol at a workshop in Chennai, India, on September 17, 2025.

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#12722996

6 September 2025

A little girl poses with her pet rabbit in front of an unfinished idol of Goddess Durga in Kolkata, India, on September 6, 2025.

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#12671945

24 August 2025

A Ganesh idol is covered by plastic due to rain in Kolkata, India, on August 24, 2025.

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#12577666

23 July 2025

A man makes a Styrofoam figure of Lord Shiva for the occasion of the month of Sraban in Kolkata, India, on July 23, 2025

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#12577672

23 July 2025

A man makes a Styrofoam figure of Lord Shiva for the occasion of the month of Sraban in Kolkata, India, on July 23, 2025

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