Matan­­i S­hakya, 3, daughter of a Nepalese watch repairer became a “living goddess” or “Kumari” on Tuesday after being approved by the country’s new atheist government.

Matan­­i was wrapped in red and gold silky custom with red flowers in her hair, her eyelashes blackened thick with mascara. The little girl received approval from the priests and President Ram Baran Yadav in a centuries-old tradition with deep ties to Nepal’s monarchy,

A panel of judges conducted by reading the horoscopes of 2-4 years old girl candidates who belong to goldsmith caste and each one of them are for physical imperfections. The living goddess must have perfect hair, eyes, teeth and skin with no scars, and should not be afraid of the dark.

As Matani is the only one who passed final test, judged by the rule that ‘living goddess’ must be able spend a night alone in a room among the heads of ritually slaughtered goats and buffaloes without crying or showing fear.

Matan­­i S­hakya was carried from her parents’ home to an ancient palatial temple in Katmandu, the capital, where she will live until she reaches puberty and loses her divine status. As a ‘Living Goddess’, she will be worshiped by both Hi­n­du­s an­d B­u­ddhi­sts.