Kumari Devi, or the Living Goddess, is the tradition of worshiping a chosen virgin as manifestations of the divine female energy or Shakti in Dharmic religious traditions. The girl is thought to be under the control of the goddess Taleju or Durga. The word “Kumari” means “princess” in Sanskrit. Indra or Sakra, who is carrying Indrani to his heavenly home as his bride, is represented by the procession. Following the religious rite of Indra Jatri, during Kumari Jantra, the festival is observed.

A prepubescent girl chosen from the Shakya clan of the Nepalese Newari Buddhist community is known as a Kumari in that country. This is a practice that is particularly common in the Kathmandu Valley. It is thought to be the embodiment of Taleju, a form of the goddess Durga. The deity is said to leave the woman’s body when her first period starts. Loss can also result after a serious disease or a significant blood loss from an injury.