Mahakumbh Diary: Why Kinnar Akhada is drawing engineers, doctors, the young and the old
https://indianexpress.com/article/express-sunday-eye/mahakumbh-diary-kinnar-akhada-drawing-engineers-doctors-young-and-old-9798507/ Faith is an all-enveloping embrace at the Kinnar Akhada — a monastic order of the third sex. “We are neither men nor women but combine the best of both,” says Giri, adorned in a fiery red tika, kohled eyes and saffron robes. The Akhada welcomes people regardless of caste, religion, age or gender. “Just because we were denied legitimacy doesn’t mean we are vengeful. Sanatan Dharma is about behaviour and duty toward others. Kumbh is a metaphor for self-realisation. If you are into science, then the Earth’s magnetic field is amplified this time of the year and impacts human energies,” adds Giri, a trained Odissi dancer