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
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
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
- ↑ 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).
- ↑ Transgender spiritual order finally finds acceptance at Hindu pilgrimage. National Geographic(30 May 2019).
- ↑ Freedom in fluid lines: this year's Kumbh Mela had its first ever transgender art fair. The Hindu(22 February 2019).
- ↑ From pariah to demi-god: transgender leader a star at massive Indian festival. Reuters(21 January 2019).
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Kinnar akhara- a hub of artists from across the world in Kumbh mela. The Times of India(25 February 2019).
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 First time in Kumbh Mela, Kinnar Akhada to be a hub of post-Sec 377 awareness. Hindustan Times(14 September 2018).
- ↑ India's Kumbh Mela festival features 1st ever transgender congregation. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation(23 February 2019).