Members of Kinnar Akhara blessing a devotee.
Mahakumbhnagar: In the ongoing Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, a large number of devotees are reaching Kinnar Akhara to seek blessings. While registering the ‘Akhada’ for the eunuch community 10 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 the society will accept them. More than 3 thousand people of Kinnar community are living in the Akhara and taking a dip in the Sangam. Most of these people are those whose families had abandoned them.
‘…then questions were raised about our religion’
Mahamandaleshwar Pavitra Nandan Giri of Kinnar Akhara, who identifies herself as a woman, said that the society has always despised eunuchs. He said, ‘We have always been viewed with inferiority complex. When we wanted to get the Akhara registered 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.
The gate of the camp of Kinnar Akhara in Mahakumbh.
‘Today we can also take a dip in the Sangam’
Pavitra Nandan Giri said, ‘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, who has done nursing graduation, said that as happens with many transgender people, her family also abandoned her. He said, ‘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.
Kinnar Akhara 14th Akhara in Mahakumbh
Mahamandaleshwar of Kinnar Akhara said, ‘Once I found out, everyone treated me as if 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. The 13 Akharas in Mahakumbh are divided into 3 groups, Sanyasi (Shaiva), Bairagi (Vaishnav) and Udasin. Each Akhara is given specific time for certain rituals. Juna Akhara is the oldest and largest among the 13 Akharas.
‘If a eunuch blesses it is considered auspicious’
Mahamandaleshwar Lakshminarayan Tripathi said that in Mahakumbh he is treated like other saints. He said, ‘We are participating in prayers, singing bhajans and performing yagya. 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. Let us tell you that in Kinnar Akhara, people give Dakshina and take a one rupee coin as a blessing to bring happiness and prosperity in their lives. (Language)
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