"Religious Persecution"

#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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#12533704

6 July 2025

EDMONTON, CANADA – JULY 5: Members of the Uyghur diaspora gather at Violet King Henry Plaza, in front of the Alberta Legislature, during the "Remembering the 2009 Urumqi Massacre" protest-commemoration event, on July 5, 2025, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

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#12533701

6 July 2025

EDMONTON, CANADA – JULY 5: Members of the Uyghur diaspora gather at Violet King Henry Plaza, in front of the Alberta Legislature, during the "Remembering the 2009 Urumqi Massacre" protest-commemoration event, on July 5, 2025, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

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#12533703

6 July 2025

EDMONTON, CANADA – JULY 5: Members of the Uyghur diaspora gather at Violet King Henry Plaza, in front of the Alberta Legislature, during the "Remembering the 2009 Urumqi Massacre" protest-commemoration event, on July 5, 2025, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

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#12533705

6 July 2025

EDMONTON, CANADA – JULY 5: Members of the Uyghur diaspora gather at Violet King Henry Plaza, in front of the Alberta Legislature, during the "Remembering the 2009 Urumqi Massacre" protest-commemoration event, on July 5, 2025, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

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#12533706

6 July 2025

EDMONTON, CANADA – JULY 5: Members of the Uyghur diaspora gather at Violet King Henry Plaza, in front of the Alberta Legislature, during the "Remembering the 2009 Urumqi Massacre" protest-commemoration event, on July 5, 2025, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

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#12533707

6 July 2025

EDMONTON, CANADA – JULY 5: Members of the Uyghur diaspora gather at Violet King Henry Plaza, in front of the Alberta Legislature, during the "Remembering the 2009 Urumqi Massacre" protest-commemoration event, on July 5, 2025, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

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#12533709

6 July 2025

EDMONTON, CANADA – JULY 5: Members of the Uyghur diaspora gather at Violet King Henry Plaza, in front of the Alberta Legislature, during the "Remembering the 2009 Urumqi Massacre" protest-commemoration event, on July 5, 2025, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

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#12533711

6 July 2025

EDMONTON, CANADA – JULY 5: Members of the Uyghur diaspora gather at Violet King Henry Plaza, in front of the Alberta Legislature, during the "Remembering the 2009 Urumqi Massacre" protest-commemoration event, on July 5, 2025, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

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#12533700

6 July 2025

EDMONTON, CANADA – JULY 5: Members of the Uyghur diaspora gather at Violet King Henry Plaza, in front of the Alberta Legislature, during the "Remembering the 2009 Urumqi Massacre" protest-commemoration event, on July 5, 2025, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

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