Janjgir- Champa (Chhattisgarh): In a unique heart-warming event, five transgenders or 'Kinnars' in Chhattisgarh got married to their gurus or leaders in a ritual that creates a family-like bonding in their community. This ritual is common among the intersex people who believe in the exclusivity of their lifestyle. The wedding ceremony followed all the traditional rituals of the trans community and was organized by the Kinnar Samiti, a community of eunuchs in India.
The Kinnar Samiti is a group of hijras or eunuchs who follow the guru-chela system. This design is a kinship system where gurus or leaders are the primary decision-makers for the community, and their followers or chelas learn about hijra customs from them. These communities are made up of a hierarchical structure, and a Naayak is the head of the group who determines policies for the community. Gurus are above community members and regulate daily life in the housing space known as a dera.
The marriage ceremony began on April 2 and will be concluded on April 4 with a 'Kalash Yatra'. Jyoti and Mahi Sagar were among the five 'Kinnars' who got married to their gurus. The brides were dressed up like married women and wore vermilion in the name of their guru, following the traditional rituals of the community. They sought blessings from the divine Bahuchara Mata and all their elders on this occasion. The rituals also included applying turmeric, henna, and getting ready to get married. After the marriage, they also wore vermilion in the name of their guru.
Jyoti, one of the brides, said "We get married to our Gurus in accordance with the Hindu traditions. First, we worship our goddess and then the rituals begin. Our rituals also include applying turmeric, and Henna, and also getting ready to get married. After the marriage, we will also wear vermilion in the name of our guru."
