Maoists fume as Gyanendra seeks goddess’ blessings

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s increasingly isolated King Gyanendra has sought the blessings of a child some believe to be a living goddess in an ancient annual ritual considered crucial to preserve the monarch’s power.   

Former Maoist rebels said Gyanendra’s visit to the temple of the child “goddess” Kumari late on Sunday, the final day of a rain god festival, had bolstered their demand for the monarchy’s abolition before the November 22 constituent assembly elections.   

The visit came a few hours after Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala had taken the king’s place at the festival.   

The king drove in his black limousine to the centuries-old temple in the capital, offered gold coins to the “goddess” and received auspicious red vermilion paste on his forehead and a marigold garland, witnesses said.

“This is a proof that he is still active,” senior Maoist leader Dev Gurung said. “There is no alternative to convening a special session of parliament to declare a republic,” he said.   

The “living goddess” is considered an incarnation of Taleju, the power goddess, and is worshipped by Hindus and Buddhists alike. The standing of the ancient monarchy hit dramatic new lows after Gyanendra took absolute power in 2005.