Kumari Temple

Kumari Temple

Introduction Also known as the Kumari Temple, at the junction of the Palace Square and Durbar Square stands a three-story red-brick building. It faces the Palace Square, with stone lions guarding the entrance—this is the Kumari Temple, built in 1757. A young girl (Kumari), who is the chosen earthly incarnation of the goddess, lives in the courtyard. She remains in isolation until she reaches puberty, after which she resumes a normal life and leaves the temple. The balconies and windows of the temple are adorned with exquisitely intricate wood carvings of astonishing complexity, rarely seen among temples in Nepal. The three-story courtyard is enclosed by finely crafted wooden balconies and windows. Photography of the goddess is not allowed, but the courtyard can be photographed when she is not present. Inside the courtyard, there is also a miniature shrine housing a statue of Saraswati, the goddess of learning. The large gate next to the temple enclosure is used to conceal the colossal chariot. Each year, this chariot carries the Kumari through the streets of Kathmandu during a historic festival.

Kathmandu, Nepal