It only takes 32 perfections to become a goddess in Nepal -- sounds simple, right? Hardly. But Sajani, the eight year-old goddess who stole our heart in the movie Living Goddess at DocFest last weekend, fit the bill. Sajani is one of three such goddesses in Nepal, Buddhists girls believed to be inhabited by Hindu goddesses. Sajani was chosen at the ripe age of two to ascend her throne for a reign that will last only through puberty.

She may be a goddess, but the film did a good job of showing that her status doesn’t make her immune from the whims and desires of any other young girl. We saw her sitting on her throne, only one of her many public responsibilities, mesmerized by a play cellphone and a glowing toy temple. Sajani’s family might worship her, but it is still "mommy" that tucked her in at night.

Sajani’s dual roles weren’t the only conflict to be had. Violent political upheaval served as the backdrop for this film, with some unbelievable footage of riots and demonstrations between Maoist rebels and the king’s men during the early 2000s.

And get this, after seeing the film, we learned that Sajani made a trip to the United States to promote Living Goddess, a trip that certain deities regarded as “impure,” so much so that they stripped her of her goddessness. (Apparently it has since been reinstated.)

SFist Wendy, contributing.

You all know SFist Wendy's a living goddess too, right??