The Kumari’s are considered as growing Goddess in Nepal. The ideal girl is a pre-pubescent girl, would grow up and shall be adored as Goddess Kali, till she attains maturity. Then she will be sent back home and another girl will be chosen. The Royal Kumari shall stay in a temple and appear before public, on special occasions in red and golden costume. Thousands worship the Goddess when she comes out in public. It is prominent belief among the Hindus and the Buddhists in Nepal. During the Monarchy time the Kumari was appointed by the head priest. The monarchy was abolished in May when Nepal became republic. 'Living Goddess Kumari' Matina on Tuesday was carried through a crowd of onlookers as she attended the Changu Narayan festival in Kathmandu.

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The latest Kumari, Matina Shakya, was three-years-old when she took her seat as Royal Kumari in August 2010 in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu. The Kumari, literally meaning 'virgin', is a young girl chosen from the Buddhist community to represent a Hindu goddess after she passes 32 tests of 'perfection'.