Trailokya Malla

Who is Trailokya Malla?

Trailokya Malla was a Malla Dynasty King of Bhaktapur, Nepal from 1560 to 1613.

The origin of Kumari can be traced to King Trailokya Malla who is believed to have instituted the tradition of Kumari after losing his right to see Durga in person. Taleju was recognized as a form of the beautiful Goddess Durga, who appeared in human form in front of King Trailokya Malla every night. Trailokya was said to play many games of dice with her, until one night, overcome by desire, the king made sexual advances toward the goddess. When this occurred, the goddess disappeared and left the king in deep regret. Later, Taleju appeared in the king’s dream and informed him that she would embody in the human form a virgin girl of the Shakya caste, a Buddhist by faith, who would bless him every year. It is believed that he was murdered one night while taking his dinner through poison, which was kept in his dinner foods.