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One of the highlights of the 2019 Ardh Kumbh Mela was the establishment of Kinner Akhada at the world’s largest fair, in the city. It was an attempt to bring the transgender community in the mainstream, states Shormita. An exclusive for Different Truths.
In 2019, the holy city of Prayagraj hosted the auspicious Ardh Kumbh Mela. From the mid of January to the mid-March, the bank of the river Ganga and Yamunaare filled up with lights and pandals. Many saints, worshippers, devotees, tourists, etc. from different parts of the country as well as from abroad attended the Ardh Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest fair, two years back. One of the highlights of 2019 Ardh Kumbh Mela was the establishment of Kinner (Transgender) Akhada in the Mela region. This has attracted millions of devotees to their camp. The other acharyas or priests have allowed the Kinner saints (Trans-saints) to take part in the shahi snan or holy dip ritual, held on every important bathing day (nahaan).
It was a historical achievement for the Kinners, as they gained recognition at the Ardh Kumbh Mela of Prayagraj. This was the first transgender group to take part in this holy fair.
The Kinner Akhada took out their huge procession on the roads of the city, the Aacharya Mahamandelwar of the Akhada Laxmi Narayan Tripathi had showered dry fruits and silver coins on the crowd (read devotees) as a mark of her blessing. The whole city was overwhelmed to witness such a huge crowd of Kinners. The people of Prayagraj had welcomed the people of this Akhada with their open arms and offered equal respect and admiration to them. It was a historical achievement for the Kinners, as they gained recognition at the Ardh Kumbh Mela of Prayagraj. This was the first transgender group to take part in this holy fair.
It was a great achievement for the transgender community who were included in this religious event. The transgenders are the neglected group of folks and they faced discrimination in every point of their life, so for them it is a matter of great esteem. The head of the Akhada Laxmi Maa opined, “Transgenders have been part of the Sanatan Dharm and they have been given respectful status in religious epics and books of Hindu mythology. The Akhara had provided a forum to transgenders to pursue a dignified life with religious rituals” (Press Trust of India).
Laxmi Narayan Tripathi is a transgender rights activist. In 2006, she has started her own organisation Astitv.
Laxmi Narayan Tripathi is a transgender rights activist. In 2006, she has started her own organisation Astitv. This organisation works to promote and support the welfare of sexual minorities. She was the first transgender person to represent Asia Pacific, at the UN, in 2008. She is now the Aacharya Maha Mahamandaleshwar of the religious organisation called Kinnar Akhada.
According to Hindu mythology, the transgenders were regarded as the demigods who had an eminent place in the religious text. But the Britishers had demolished their identity from the ancient era, the social status of this community was ruined. The transgenders are compelled to take up the job of begging or sex-work to earn their livelihood, as they are not considered liable for a decent work. The honorable Supreme Court of India in its landmark judgement of 2014 has regarded the transgenders as the ‘third gender’. In the election of 2019, the trans-people cast their votes in the election. All these steps were been taken to include the transgenders in the mainstream society.
For decades, this community has faced alienation and discrimination but the inclusion of Kinner Akhada in one of the largest religious fairs is amazing and remarkable.
For decades, this community has faced alienation and discrimination but the inclusion of Kinner Akhada in one of the largest religious fairs is amazing and remarkable. The people of the society seek blessings from the kinners for their good luck and fortune, but at the same time, they abuse or classify them for their gender identity. This is the reality of the hypocritical society that shows their dual nature for the transgender people. Therefore, the establishment of Kinner Akhada could be considering as a step to raise awareness about gender identity consciousness. It is one of the strongest steps to be taken that awakes people about the emergence of transfeminism in the public sphere.
Works Cited
· Press Trust of India. ‘Kinner Akhada, Group of Transgender Saints, to Build Ashram in Prayagraj.’ NDTV.com: 21st Jan 2019, 10:25 p.m. www.ndtv.com/india-news/kinnar-akhara-group-of-transgender-saints-to-build-ashram-in-prayagraj-1981107
· Rode, Vaishali. Me Hijra, Me Laxmi. Translated by R. Raj Rao & P.G. Joshi. Oxford University Press: New Delhi, 2015.
· Salian, Priti. ‘Transgender spiritual order finally finds acceptance at Hindu pilgrimage.’ National Geographic: 30th May, 2019
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Feature picture from twitter of indianeagle
