Gauracandra

Nepal goddess a rare sight indeed The Kumari has stopped appearing at her palace window Next Tuesday, tourists in Nepal will have the rare opportunity of seeing a living goddess. The opportunity is rarer than they think because six-year-old Preeti Sakya - the living Hindu goddess or Kumari - has been hidden away for six months during a row over who gets tourists' money. Her guardians say she should receive a fair share of the fee tourists pay for entry to Kathmandu's Hanumandhoka palace square where she lives. Municipal officials say they have to use the proceeds of the $2.50 fee to maintain the world heritage-listed site. Still, for one day at least tourists will be able to see the Kumari when she is borne in a palanquin - a covered litter - in a religious procession through Kathmandu. The municipality earns in the name of Kumari and we don't get anything to maintain the rituals associated with her Gautam Sakya, guardian Preeti was chosen as Kumari three years ago. According to the 300-year-old tradition, a girl from the Sakya caste of the Newari community in the Kathmandu Valley is selected through rigorous tests. She remains the goddess until puberty and is called upon to give blessings to Nepal's Hindus and Buddhists - and even the king. Tug of war Normally, the Kumari appears for tourists through an intricately carved window at her residence in the historic square. But not for the past six months. Her guardians have withdrawn her from sight because of the row with the Kathmandu municipality. The guardians want 10% of the take from entrance fees "It is unfair," says Gautam Sakya, one of the guardians. "The municipality earns in the name of Kumari and we do not get anything to maintain the rituals associated with her." The guardians insist that the local body should pay them at least 10% of its annual earnings of a little over $200,000. Municipality officials argue they have to meet costs for conservation work at the site, recently listed as endangered by the UN cultural organisation, Unesco. "Still, we have offered them around $200 a month, but they are yet to respond," says Deepak Kansakar, manager of the Kathmandu municipality's conservation project at the Hanumandhoka site. Before the municipality began charging tourists the entrance fee two years ago, foreign visitors were allowed to see the Kumari and offered money individually. Gautam Sakya says: "But now, since tourists pay the entrance fee to the municipality, the visitors demand they should get to see the Kumari while she gets nothing in return." In the tug of war between the municipality and the guardians, the tourists have been the losers. "We were told she would appear there for us," said Kurd Luger, an Austrian backpacker, pointing at the window. "It's disappointing to learn that we will not get to see her."

I say its ok so long as it is a mini-cow /images/graemlins/smile.gif

I say its ok so long as it is a mini-cow /images/graemlins/smile.gif

Silent waters run deep.

Silent waters run deep.

Thats my advice. Hey, anything can work if you make it work. Thats up to you. There will probably be problems with in-laws not liking the situation, but what can you do. Just keep an open mind and an open heart.

Thats my advice. Hey, anything can work if you make it work. Thats up to you. There will probably be problems with in-laws not liking the situation, but what can you do. Just keep an open mind and an open heart.

I also have heard this, that in the age of Kali yuga the mind is so weak willed that it drifts to many thoughts. Because we are so weak we are not held accountable for our wandering mind, but only for actual actions that we perform. It would be great if we could have this clarified if there is a verse that states something similar.

I also have heard this, that in the age of Kali yuga the mind is so weak willed that it drifts to many thoughts. Because we are so weak we are not held accountable for our wandering mind, but only for actual actions that we perform. It would be great if we could have this clarified if there is a verse that states something similar.

I'm with Theist that Hinduism is very broad. It can be monotheistic, polytheistic, or atheistic. So its a bit hard to define. For instance, Vaisnavas are monotheistic. There are other gods (lowercase g) that are material and temporary, while God is spiritual and eternal.

I'm with Theist that Hinduism is very broad. It can be monotheistic, polytheistic, or atheistic. So its a bit hard to define. For instance, Vaisnavas are monotheistic. There are other gods (lowercase g) that are material and temporary, while God is spiritual and eternal.

I was trying to figure out what that was for a few seconds, then realized it was the NorthEast poweroutage. It reminds me of a picture I saw of the DMZ in Korea. In South Korea there were tons of lights, right across the border was North Korea and there it was pitchblack.

If you have angry sheep like that, you will have angry sleep /images/graemlins/mad.gif /images/graemlins/smile.gif /images/graemlins/mad.gif

Yes, I really do enjoy Pitadasji's stories. Keep them coming as you can. Thanks.

Yes, I really do enjoy Pitadasji's stories. Keep them coming as you can. Thanks.

This isn't a spiritual question I have per se though it could be turned in that direction. My question is since every cell of the body changes every what is it 7 years? biologically how do scientists explain how memory continues within the brain. I have a brain. Each part of the brain will die off at different points. If my memory is within the cells, shouldn't my memory die off as well? Or is memory the pattern these cells take, and so long as one cell replaces in the exact spot another cell, the memory remains? I just don't get it.

This isn't a spiritual question I have per se though it could be turned in that direction. My question is since every cell of the body changes every what is it 7 years? biologically how do scientists explain how memory continues within the brain. I have a brain. Each part of the brain will die off at different points. If my memory is within the cells, shouldn't my memory die off as well? Or is memory the pattern these cells take, and so long as one cell replaces in the exact spot another cell, the memory remains? I just don't get it.

I always thought it would be very nice if Iskcon created a sort of stylistic replica of Angkor Wat in India. This is this largest Visnu temple outside of India. It has a really unique look and I think combined with modern materials and architecture would make for a great temple design.

Is there any similar idea within Vaisnavism? I think of Visnuduttas as angels, while others might consider certain demigods as angels. Either way, are there angels looking out for us as individuals?

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This is me after Apple Cider Vinegar: /images/graemlins/crazy.gif or sometimes /images/graemlins/mad.gif

Thanks for that very nice picture /images/graemlins/smile.gif

Thanks for that very nice picture /images/graemlins/smile.gif

I don't know her, but I wish her the best. I've only read articles she has written for BTG and she seems very nice, dedicated, and thoughtful. I'm sure she'll do a good job.

I don't know her, but I wish her the best. I've only read articles she has written for BTG and she seems very nice, dedicated, and thoughtful. I'm sure she'll do a good job.