For the first time in the history of Kumbh Mela, the Kinnar Akhada is participating in shahi Snan along with the Juna Akhada. After a long struggle for recognition, the Kinnar Akhara finally joined the Juna Akhada officially on Saturday.
Prayagraj: ‘Kinnar Akhada’ formally joined ‘Juna Akhada’ yesterday to participate in the ‘Shahi Snan’ in #KumbhMela2019. The ‘Kinnar Akhada’ will continue to be a separate ‘akhada’ but will participate with ‘Juna Akhada’ for the event at Kumbh. pic.twitter.com/8a4Tsk08fs
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 13, 2019
The Kinnar Akhara Mahamandaleshwar Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi had said that the Kinnar Akhada will associate with the Juna Akhada but will not merge with it to retain its independence. “For me, it is a wonderful situation to come to this divine Prayagraj Kumbh. For me, we are one of the most conservative societies in the world where the acceptance of the third gender is remarkably outstanding. For us, this participation is about mainstream society accepting us. This is Akhada beyond sexuality. The creator is within us and once we perish we will go back to him. Our doors are open for all,” said Tripathi.
Prayagraj: ‘Kinnar Akhara’ is participating in #KumbhMela2019 for the first time. Pavitra, Secretary of ‘Kinnar Akhara’, says, “Public & all the devotees who are here have supported us & shown lot of respect for us. We are happy that people here have accepted us.” pic.twitter.com/7cHRV8Bkkm
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 11, 2019
The Chief patron of the Juna Akhara Mahant Hari Giri and the Kinnar Akhara Mahamandaleshwar Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi performed a joint puja on the bank of river Yamuna in the presence of other prominent members of both the Akharas.
Kumbh Mela 2019 Live: जूना अखाड़ा में शामिल किन्नर अखाड़ा के संन्यासी स्नान को जाते हुएhttps://t.co/7sAvNgFwg7#PrayagrajKumbh2019 #KinnarAkhada pic.twitter.com/Bm7Xht2tlY
— Dainik jagran (@JagranNews) January 15, 2019
The Kumbh Mela which is recognised as the “intangible cultural heritage of humanity” by the UNESCO, started from January 14 and will go on till March 3 at the confluence of the three rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati (now extinct) in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
Earlier, the Kinnar Akhara had also participated in the grand procession called Peshwai in Prayagraj. Lakshmi Narayan Tripathy, the Mahamandaleswar had called it a great step towards inclusion and social acceptance.
