Mahakumbh Nagar, Amrit Vichar: This time’s Mahakumbh is not only historical but also very special. In Mahakumbh, a large number of devotees are continuously reaching Kinnar Akhara to seek blessings. This time’s Mahakumbh is very special for the eunuchs also because while registering the ‘Akhada’ for the eunuch class ten years ago, the community had to face strong opposition, but the crowd of devotees who came to seek their blessings has raised hopes. That eventually society will accept them. Let us tell you that this time more than three thousand eunuchs are currently living in the Akhara and taking a dip in the Sangam. Most of these are those whose families had abandoned them.
Mahamandaleshwar Pavitra Nandan Giri of Kinnar Akhara said that the society has always despised eunuchs. He said that we have always been looked at with inferiority complex. When we wanted to register the Akhara for ourselves, questions were raised regarding our religion. We were asked what do we need for this? Despite opposition, we registered it 10 years ago and this is our first Mahakumbh. Akharas are institutions that bring together saints (ascetics) under specific spiritual traditions and practices.
“Eunuchs are getting equal respect”
Pavitra Nandan Giri further said that today we can also take a dip in the Sangam, take out a Shobha Yatra like other Akharas and perform rituals. Devotees are reaching the Akhara in large numbers and long queues are forming to take our blessings. Hopefully we will be accepted in the society too. Giri, a nursing graduate, said that as happens with many transgender people, her family also abandoned her. He said that life is difficult for us. As a child, I used to play with my brothers and sisters, unaware that I was not one of them. Once I found out everyone treated me like I was inferior or untouchable. I also completed my education, but still had to face the brunt of discrimination. All India Kinnar Akhara is the 14th Akhara in Mahakumbh.
13 Akharas divided into three groups
The 13 Akharas in Mahakumbh are divided into three groups, Sanyasi (Shaiva), Bairagi (Vaishnava) and Udasani. Each Akhara is given specific time for certain rituals. Juna Akhara is the oldest and largest among the 13 Akharas. Mahamandaleshwar Lakshminarayan Tripathi said that in Mahakumbh he is treated like other saints. “We are participating in prayers, singing bhajans and performing yagya,” he said. People are standing in queue to collect one rupee coins from us. When a Kinnar gives blessings it is considered auspicious. Even though everyone knows this, society still hesitates in accepting us. The Akhara has now cemented our right to spirituality.
