Transgender community celebrates acceptance at Maha Kumbh mela

The Kinnar Akhara, a transgender monastic sect, celebrates recognition at Maha Kumbh Mela, where thousands seek blessings, symbolizing growing societal acceptance and spiritual inclusion

Mahakumbh Nagar: Having faced stiff resistance when they tried to register an ‘akhara’ for transgender persons 10 years ago, the camp of their sect at the ongoing Maha Kumbh is now flooded with pilgrims queuing up for blessings.

More than 3,000 trans persons, most of them abandoned by their families, are residing in the akhara and taking part in the sacred bathing ritual at the Sangam.

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The surge of devotees seeking their blessings has finally offered them hope that they would be accepted in society.

Mahamandleshawar of Kinnar Akhara, Pavitra Nandan Giri — who identified herself as a woman — said that society had always despised eunuchs.

“We have always been considered inferior. When we wanted to register an akhara for ourselves, questions were raised about our religion. We were asked why we needed it. Despite the resistance, we managed to register it 10 years ago and this is our first Maha Kumbh,” she said.

Akharas are monastic institutions or sects that unite seers (ascetics) under specific spiritual traditions and practices.

Giri said, “Today, we are able to take a dip at the Sangam, conduct processions similar to other akharas, and perform rituals. The akhara is flooded with pilgrims and they are lining up to take our blessings. We are proud to have found our place and hopefully we will be accepted more in society as well.”

A nursing graduate, Giri said her family abandoned her, as is the case with many trans persons, and she found herself in the community and her new family.

“Life is difficult for us. As a child, I would play with my brothers and sisters, unaware that I was not one of them. Once known, everyone treated me like I was inferior or untouchable. I even completed my formal education but still continued to face discrimination,” she said.