Kinnar Akhara is an akhara (Hindu religious order) established in 2018 by the hijra community. It is under the Juna Akhada (Shri Panchdashnaam Juna Akhada).[1] The organization showcased itself at the 2019 Kumbh Mela. The organization promotes discussion of Hinduism and LGBT topics.
Organization edit
Laxmi Narayan Tripathi is a spokesperson for the organization.[2]
One of the organization's leaders, Pavitra Nimbhorakar, said that the establishment of the organization brought more respect to members of their order.[3]
Bahuchara Mata is a spiritual patron of the community.[4]
The organization claims origins in Hindu tradition.[5] Many of the members of the organization are artists.[6]
News edit
In September 2018 the Supreme Court of India made a ruling which was favorable to the LGBT+ community regarding Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.[7] In the context of that ruling, Tripathi made an announcement in that month that the organization would participate in the 2019 Kumbh Mela.[7]
The 2016 Simhast Mela of Ujjain was the first mela where the transgender community participated as an organization.[8] At Kumbh Mela in 2019 the organization presented and performed various arts, including plays, music, dancing, and painting.[6]
References edit
- ^ "Kinnar Akhara, Group Of Transgender Saints, To Build Ashram In Prayagraj". Retrieved 17 May 2020.
- ^ "From 'pariah' to 'demigod,' transgender leader a star at massive Indian festival". Public Radio International. 21 January 2019.
- ^ Salian, Priti (30 May 2019). "Transgender spiritual order finally finds acceptance at Hindu pilgrimage". National Geographic.
- ^ Sen, Priyadarshini (22 February 2019). "Freedom in fluid lines: this year's Kumbh Mela had its first ever transgender art fair". The Hindu.
- ^ Pal, Alasdair (21 January 2019). "From pariah to demi-god: transgender leader a star at massive Indian festival". Reuters.
- ^ a b Mani, Rajiv (25 February 2019). "Kinnar akhara- a hub of artists from across the world in Kumbh mela". The Times of India.
- ^ a b Srivastava, Rajesh (14 September 2018). "First time in Kumbh Mela, Kinnar Akhada to be a hub of post-Sec 377 awareness". Hindustan Times.
- ^ "India's Kumbh Mela festival features 1st ever transgender congregation". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 23 February 2019.