Patan Kumari’s 31-Year Reign

In Nepal, young girls known as Kumari are worshiped as living goddesses until they reach puberty, when they are traditionally replaced after their first menstruation. One Kumari of Patan, chosen in 1953, never began menstruating and therefore remained in the role for more than three decades. She served as the goddess until 1984, when authorities removed her and appointed a successor despite her objections.

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