Life as a Nepalese 'living goddess'

Rashmila Shakya is one of Nepal's former Royal Kumaris who were once considered ‘living goddesses’, the living incarnations of a Hindu deity. According to tradition, the girl, who is selected as a child must be prepubescent, which means the role is changed every eight or so years. Rashmila was four years old when her selection happened. Her family were given just a week to say goodbye to her before she was moved into a temple which she was only allowed to leave for 13 days each year. She has written a book called 'From Goddess to Mortal' with Scott Berry. Image: Rashmila Shakya sitting next to a framed photograph of herself as a Royal Kumaris Credit: Viviane Moos/CORBIS/Corbis/Getty Images