Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

16th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
The Living Goddess of Nepal

The Living Goddess of Patan, who has been selected just 4 months ago and who is 6 years old, poses for a portrait in her room. Picked up from the Nepalese Newari community at the age from 3 to 6, she is believed to be the personification of the Goddess Taleju or Devi, worshipped both by Hindus and Buddhists. Despite there are different Living Goddesses or Kumaris (princess or un-married girl) in Nepal, the most important ones are the Kumaris of Kathmandu and Patan.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 04.2018
Date Uploaded: 11.2018
Photo Location: Nepal
Camera: NIKON D750
Copyright: © Maria Contreras Coll