History+of+Nepal

=Nepal's History and Culture= Nepal early history began in the Kathmandu Valley in a dried up lake about 200,000 years ago.³

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Although many people in Nepal are suffering from poverty, the country is rich in history and culture. Over many centuries, palatial structures, temples and monasteries have been left in Nepal from the successive dynasties who established their capitals. Because of heavy rainfall and too many tourists, there has been much damage to the most well known monuments, such as Bishwanath, Sundari Chowk and Mul Chowk in Patan Durbar Square. They are doing their best to restore these monuments, but it has cost about $376, 300 US to fix them.²======

"KATHMANDU, Nepal -- Religious authorities in Nepal anointed a three-year-old girl as a living goddess Tuesday in a tradition dating back centuries." Matani Shakya, a three-year-old girl, looks on as farewell rituals are performed before taking her to kumari house, a temple, in Katmandu, Nepal. Part of her wardrobe includes a red silk dress and red flowers adorned on her hair. The young, worshiped girl will live there until she reaches puberty and loses her divine status. She will be worshipped by Hindus and Buddhists as an incarnation of the powerful Hindu deity Taleju. In Nepal, to find out who the "Living Goddess" is, two to four-year-old girls must pass a test, which includes having perfect hair, eyes, and teeth, and having skin with no scars. Also, a very important part is for them not to be affraid of the dark. To show their capability, the living goddess must spend a night alone in a dark room among the heads of ritually slaughtered goats and buffaloes without showing fear. This skill is needed as Matani will not see her family until she reaches puberty, when another living goddess will be chosen.³

¹Cultures of Nepal, Jon Burbank ²: [|Nepal's culture] ³ : [|Matanie Shakya] Figure 1: [|Monuments in Nepal]