Exactly a month after the Gai Jatra, is yet another important and colorful festival during which the main attraction is Kumari or the Living Goddess, an institution unique to only Nepal in the world. This festival takes place towards the end of September or early October when the monsoon have folded up. It is a week long festival. It may be described as a thanks giving week as people during this period worship Lord Indra, the God of rain, for having vanquished "VRITA"who had wrought havoc over the Valley by causing drought upon the land, and blessed the Kingdom with life giving water.As per the legend, Lord Vishnu was pleased with Lord Indra's efforts and presented him with the "INDRA DWAJ"_A LONG POLE COVERED WITH SCENTED PINE BOUGHES. Though this festival is being observed in Nepal for centuries, it was only in 1756 A.D., during the reign of King Jay a Prakash Malla, that the concept of "Virgin Goddess" as well as the "Rath Yatra" (cart festival) was introduced.
It is said that a girl of "Bare" caste was said to have got possessed by the "Goddess Kumari". During this trance in which she was, she said that she was "the protector of Nepal Valley" This little girl was then hailed as LIVING GODDESS KUMARI"and people started worshiping ner. Ever since she has been worshiped. A beautiful house vith golden windows was specially built for her and that became her abode.
