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.
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]
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]