Kinnar Akhara

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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.

Contents

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]

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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. 1 2 Mani, Rajiv (25 February 2019). "Kinnar akhara- a hub of artists from across the world in Kumbh mela". The Times of India.
  7. 1 2 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.