ELBAGIR: And finally tonight, imagine going to school with a goddess. Well, I should say a retired goddess. In Nepal, the living goddesses or Kumari are part of a century's old tradition chosen at around three years old. They are worshipped as incarnations of a Hindu deity. Living in a temple that only allowed out for 13 feast days every year. And even then they're not allowed to touch the ground. Their rein ends at puberty when Hindus believe the goddess departs the girl's body. Today, Katmandu's most recent Kumari, Matina Shakya, is starting school for the first time at age 12. Stripped of the elaborate makeup and now allowed to walk herself, she went to school with the family she had barely seen during her nine year reign and was received with a celebration from her classmates and teachers. Once freed from duty, the child god's struggle to return to normal life. But a Supreme Court ruling in 2008 means Matina was educated behind her sacred walls for her sake as well as her successors who was chose just last month. We hope education will ease the transition from the heavens to the earth below. That's it for our program tonight. And remember you can listen to our podcast and see us online at Amanpour.com. Thank you so much for watching and goodbye from London.
Going to School with a Goddess