Jhuma Pratha is one of the typical traditions of Buddhists which is prevalent especially in the Himalayan Region of Nepal. This system is particularly seen in the eastern part of Nepal.
It is the most famous ritual of Nepal, the ritual of the living Goddess “Kumari”. It is practiced in the Newari community. Kumari is the pre-pubertal virgin girl. She is offered to the Goddess Kumari to fulfill its wishes for health recovery, bearing son, and other accomplishments.
The ritual is taken as the tradition of power, pageantry, and beauty. The girl decorated with the heavy ornaments and the red forehead is worshiped as the incarnation of Goddess Taleju.
She is provided with all kinds of facilities even her schooling within the “Kumari Ghar” where she lives and is not allowed to go out.
It is the system in which the second girl child is offered to the monastery. She spends her whole life in the monastery without marriage. The girl is required to spend her time caring for the temple and live on whatever cash and kind are obtained as puja offering. The child born from the girl becomes Lama of the Monastery.
At the same time, some make a wish for s$xual relation with them for religious and spiritual sanctity. So Deukis are compelled to indulge in prostitution to make their life and their children are really helpless and rootless.
She is allowed to choose the kind of education she wants. Deuki Pratha is practiced in Hilly regions whereas Jhuma Pratha is practiced in the Himalayan region.
Though there is no clear history when and how this system began, it seems to be influenced by Deuki Pratha of Hindus. Both Deuki and Jhuma Pratha are similar to the Devadashi System of India. In Nepal, Hindus and Buddhists are exchanging culture from ages. There is notable tolerance among them.
There is also a film named Jhuma in Nepali Film Industry which clearly deals with Jhuma. Unlike Deuki Pratha, Jhuma Pratha is listed as one of the Social Problems of Nepal by the government of Nepal. Many NGOs are working for the reformation.
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