KATHMANDU, Nepal - A 3-year-old girl was anointed the new Kumari of Nepal's capital Kathmandu by Hindu priests on Thursday, after her predecessor retired when she reached puberty, continuing an ancient tradition that sees young girls worshipped as "living goddesses".

Wearing a red dress, Trishna Shakya was taken from her home to the ancient Durbar Square for a short initiation ceremony.

Her father then carried her across the square - which still bears the scars of a powerful earthquake that hit in 2015 - to the temple-palace where she will live under the care of specially-appointed guardians.