AGARTALA, Oct 9 (TIWN): Kumari puja even though celebrated across Tripura, Bengal, Assam and other states of India, but for many experts it’s a quite contradictory culture, where a female is worshipped being selected from the 'Kumaris' (virgins) for the sake of ‘purity’ and ‘chastity’.

While goddess worship is meaningful in areas of this predominantly Hindu country, is it a practice that empowers girls?

According to feminists women should be worshiped for her power, her potentiality—there should be no relation between a woman to be pure or virgin or any mendatory year up-to 16.

An ancient tradition in India and Nepal enforces that relationship and carefully selects pre-pubescent girls as incarnations of a goddess. In India, the girl, or 'Kumari', is usually worshipped for a day. But in Nepal where goddess worship is also prevalent, she is isolated from society, taking her daily seat at the temple to be worshipped by locals as well as royalty. Once she reaches puberty, another chosen girl replaces her.

However, keeping all these logics aside, the Kumari Puja is celebrated across the country with full devotion during Durga puja, and also during Kali puja.