Key Highlights
- First ever 10‑day All India Kinnar Mahasammelan took place in Vaishali Nagar, Ajmer starting 17 February 2025.
- More than 2,000 transgender participants from across the country gathered under the guidance of Gaddipati Saloni Nayak, honoring her mentor Anita Bai.
- Traditional rites – Khichdi Tulai, Kalash Puja and Chak Pujan – were performed, linking spirituality with community solidarity.
- Medical, banking, perfume and travel stalls were set up, while strict gate‑control ensured entry only for invited members.
- The event highlighted inter‑faith harmony, praising leaders such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Detailed Insights
The Mahasammelan unfolded at a private school in Vaishali Nagar, converting the campus into a ritualistic enclave. The opening Khichdi Tulai ceremony offered rice, lentils, sugar, dry fruits and ghee to Goddess Bahuchara, after which the prasad was shared among attendees, reinforcing collective identity.
Subsequent Kalash Puja welcomed guests, with a sacred pot being paraded before the crowd while devotees made offerings. On 19 February, Chak Pujan featured a vibrant procession that traversed the streets of Ajmer, showcasing the community’s cultural heritage.
Security personnel stationed at the gates verified each entrant against a list curated by Ms. Nayak, ensuring that only authorized members accessed the venue. Prior to participating, every guest was required to visit the Bahuchara Temple, emphasizing the spiritual underpinnings of the gathering.
A specially erected pandal, positioned 20 metres from the temple, streamed the ceremonies live via LED displays, allowing remote participants to witness the events. The exhibition area hosted stalls delivering health screenings, banking services, perfumery items and travel assistance, thereby addressing practical needs of the community.
Leaders of the Kinnar Akhara Parishad lauded the cooperation of national and state officials, asserting that the Mahasammelan embodied unity among Hindus, Muslims and followers of other faiths. Speakers such as Deepika Bai, Neeta Bai and Sapna Bai described the conference as a “Maha Kumbh” for transgender individuals, underscoring its cultural and religious significance.
Key Concepts
- Khichdi Tulai: A ceremonial offering of cooked khichdi to Goddess Bahuchara, symbolizing communal harmony.
- Kalash Puja: A ritual wherein a sacred pot (kalash) is carried before participants, receiving donations and blessings.
- Chak Pujan: A collective worship practice accompanied by a procession, highlighting the community’s devotion.
- Kinnar Akhara Parishad: The representative body of transgender monastic orders that coordinates religious activities and advocates for rights.
- Mahasammelan: A large‑scale, multi‑day conference that blends advocacy, spirituality, and cultural exhibition for a specific community.