THE LIVING GODDESS by Isabella Tree ( 9781780600468 ) - Books & Audio Books at Pickabook.co.uk

Item Details

Title:

THE LIVING GODDESS
A JOURNEY INTO THE HEART OF KATHMANDU

By:

Isabella Tree

Format:

Paperback

List price:

£18.99

Our price:

£13.86

Discount:

27% off

You save:

£5.13

ISBN 10:

1780600461

ISBN 13:

9781780600468

Availability:

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days.

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Stock:

Currently 12 available

Publisher:

ELAND PUBLISHING LTD

Pub. date:

9 January, 2015

Pages:

384

Description:

Synopsis:

In a small medieval palace on Kathmandu's Durbar Square lives Nepal's famous Living Goddess - a child as young as three who is chosen from a caste of Buddhist goldsmiths to watch over the country and protect its people. To Nepalis she is the embodiment of Devi (the universal goddess) and for centuries their Hindu kings have sought her blessing to legitimize their rule. Legends swirl about her, for the facts are shrouded in secrecy and closely guarded by dynasties of priests and caretakers. How come a Buddhist girl is worshipped by autocratic Hindu rulers? Are the initiation rituals as macabre as they are rumoured to be? And what fate awaits the Living Goddesses when they attain puberty and are dismissed from their role? Weaving together myth, religious belief, modern history and court gossip, Isabella Tree takes us on a compelling and fascinating journey to the esoteric, hidden heart of Nepal. Through her unprecedented access to the many layers of Nepalese society, she is able to put the country's troubled modern history in the context of the complex spiritual beliefs and practices that inform the role of the little girl at its centre.Deeply felt, emotionally engaged and written after over a decade of travel and research, The Living Goddess is a compassionate and illuminating enquiry into this reclusive Himalayan country - a revelation.

Publication:

Imprint:

Eland Publishing Ltd

Returns:

Returnable

Some other items by this author:

BIRD MAN (PB)

BOOK OF WILDING (HB)

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PAPUA NEW GUINEA (HB)

SLICED IGUANA (HB)

WHEN THE STORKS CAME HOME (HB)