Hindu myths and scriptures are loaded with references to transgender people
According to the Photojournalist Ankit Srinivas reports, On Sunday the northern Indian city of Allahabad saw a memorable procession driven by a Hindu gathering of transgender individuals. Thousands thronged the lanes of Allahabad to seek blessings from transgender sadhus (sacred individuals), in front of the Kumbh Mela celebration, which is set to start in the city on 15 January and will proceed until 4 March. It is one of Hinduism's holiest occasions and counted as the world's biggest religious social event. In the days of the Kumbh, every one of Hinduism's 13 official Akharas or congregations embarks on demonstration to imprint their arrival in the festivities. These processions are profoundly coveted as individuals line up to see sacred people perched over heavily decorated floats. It has been occurring at regular intervals over hundreds of years. Four distinctive northern urban communities, all along the banks of a holy river, alternate hosting it. Hindus trust that taking a plunge in these rivers amid the Kumbh will wash away their wrongdoings and help them accomplish salvation. In this way, many millions accumulate at the celebration to do only that.