A temple at Bhaktapur in Nepal seems to have this flexible policy on goddesses. Sajani Shakya, a 10-year old girl, who is considered a living goddess by both Hindus and Buddhists, lost her status (tip Shlok via email) as a goddess, for visiting USA. The power-that-be contended she was “impure” because she travelled abroad. Sajani visited the US as part of a tour organized by British documentary makers. Among the despicable acts the 10-year old did abroad – she played with dolls, got a picture of the White House and …. gasp ….. had instant noodles.
Then after the 10 year old “consented” to a “cleansing” ceremony, she was reinstated, as a living goddess. The sheer oxymoron-ism in that statement is mind boggling. Also oxymornic is the fact that gods (or goddesses) can be hired and fired at will by humans. Also now that Sajani has been reinstated that is not the end of her career troubles. She will be “retired” as a goddess at the first sign puberty.
Exploitation of children in the name of religion happens in almost every major religion, albeit in varying degrees. Parents give up their kids, male and female, to the relgious establishment of choice, so these kids can either spend their childhood serving god or playing god. These children lose the most important part of their carefree childhood days while parents rake in the rewards in terms of cash and/or social status.
Uber Bonus Nepal story: UberDesi would like to present this modern day Mola Ram – Ramesh Tajpuriya. Ramesh cut his own right hand off with a khukri in a Kali temple in front of bewildered devotees and priests. Kali maa is pleased, Ramesh.
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