girl, two, chosen as new 'living goddess' after having her 'bravery' tested

Two-year-old Aryatara Shaky is made up before her enthronement ceremony in Kathmandu (Picture: Sunil Sharma/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock)

A toddler has been appointed Nepal’s next living goddess Kumari following an ancient selection process.

This included showing the two and a half-year-old several sacrificed buffalo and masked men dancing in blood to test her bravery.

If she displayed any fear she would have failed.

Aryatara Shaky was pictured in black eyeliner and a red dress for the Royal Kumari enthronement ceremony in Kathmandu on Sunday.

She will be formally installed at the historic Ghar Kumari House on Tuesday where she will live away from her parents and twin brother.

Aryatara has taken over the Royal Kumari position from Trishna Shakya,who’s tenure has now ended as she’s reached puberty,the traditional threshold that means it’s time for a new Living Goddess.

The Kumari is seen as the living embodiment of the Hindu goddess Taleju,worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists,and is thought to bring good luck and fortune to those who see her.

Aryatara will live away from her family until she reaches puberty and her tenure comes to an end (Picture: Sunil Sharma/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock)

Her selection follows a rigorous process based on ancient tantric criteria and astrological assessments and overseen by senior Buddhist figures and a royal astrologer.

She must be in good health,with no scars or marks on her body,and no loss of teeth.

If she passes the initial physical test she is further examined for other body characteristics,including the eyelashes of a cow,the neck of conch shell and a chest of a lion.

She should also have the same horoscope as the king.

The youngster is then put through the bravery test.

Trishna Shakya making her last appearance as Kumari on Saturday before her tenure ended

(Picture: Safal Prakash Shrestha/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock)

Once appointed,the Kumari will live at the old palace and only see her family when she’s taken to special events and places,which happens around 13 times a year.

When she is outside the palace she is carried as her feet are not allowed to touch the ground.

Up until recently,the Kumari would spend most of her time in one room will no access to education and little information about the outside world,making her transition back into the world difficult.

However,following pressure from human rights group this has changed and the Kumari now receives a personal tutor and has access to books,magazines and the internet.

The youngster’s feet are painted red for the ceremony(Picture: Sunil Sharma/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock)

Some people – usually those who are well-connected – will be allowed to visit the Kumari in her room,where she sits on a gilded iron throne.

What the Kumari does during the visits is closely watched,as her actions are seen as a prediction of what will happen to the visitor in the future.

According to ancient beliefs,for example,if she cries or laughs loudly it can mean the person will become seriously ill or die. And if she picks at food offerings it suggests they will experience financial losses.

Many people not able to visit her room stand in a courtyard in front of her window in the hope of catching a glimpse of the girl and be blessed by good luck.