Nepal Living Goddess

Devotees pay their respects to the Nepalese living goddess, locally known as Kumari, during the Gaijatra festival in Katmandu, Nepal. Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010. The living goddesses are selected between the ages of 2 and 4 and a panel of judges examine them in a series of ancient ceremonies, checking horoscopes, searching for physical imperfections such as scars and wounds. Critics say the tradition violates both international and Nepalese laws on child rights. (AP Photo/Binod Joshi)