Controversial Nepal "goddess" returns from U.S. tour

By Gopal Sharma

KATHMANDU (Reuters) - A Nepali girl worshipped as a "living goddess", but who may be stripped of her religious title after travelling to the United States, returned to Nepal on Wednesday seemingly unaware of the controversy.

Ten-year-old Sajani Shakya was installed at the age of 2 as the Kumari or "goddess" of the ancient town of Bhaktapur, near the capital Kathmandu, where she was revered by Hindus and Buddhists alike in deeply religious Nepal.

But a recent trip to the United States to promote a British-made documentary exploring Nepal's traditions and its modern development upset local religious leaders who said it was against practice to travel without permission.

However an official of a trust that manages the Kumari's temple in Bhaktapur said on Wednesday a final decision had not been reached on whether she would remain a goddess.

Shakya was greeted at Kathmandu airport by dozens of family members, friends and followers who beat drums and blew brass trumpets to welcome her.

She appeared relaxed and unaware of the controversy.

Her parents, who did not travel with her, presented her Buddhist prayer scarves and marigold garlands and said they were unaware of any ban on the child's foreign travel.

"If we knew it we would not have sent her," her mother, Rukmini Shakya, said.