Kinnar Akhara

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 2019 Kumbh Mela 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
  1. "Kinnar Akhara, Group Of Transgender Saints, To Build Ashram In Prayagraj". Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  2. "From 'pariah' to 'demigod,' transgender leader a star at massive Indian festival". Public Radio International. 21 January 2019.
  3. Salian, Priti (30 May 2019). "Transgender spiritual order finally finds acceptance at Hindu pilgrimage". National Geographic.
  4. Sen, Priyadarshini (22 February 2019). "Freedom in fluid lines: this year's Kumbh Mela had its first ever transgender art fair". The Hindu.
  5. Pal, Alasdair (21 January 2019). "From pariah to demi-god: transgender leader a star at massive Indian festival". Reuters.
  6. Mani, Rajiv (25 February 2019). "Kinnar akhara- a hub of artists from across the world in Kumbh mela". The Times of India.
  7. Srivastava, Rajesh (14 September 2018). "First time in Kumbh Mela, Kinnar Akhada to be a hub of post-Sec 377 awareness". Hindustan Times.
  8. "India's Kumbh Mela festival features 1st ever transgender congregation". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 23 February 2019.
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