Activist Laxmi dons cap of Acharya Mahamandleshwar in Kumbh

Noted transgender rights activist and actress Laxmi Narayan Tripathi has donned the role of Acharya Mahamandleshwar of the Kinnar Akhara at the ongoing Simhastha Kumbh mela here by performing several religious rituals.
"Laxmi Narayan yesterday donned the role of Acharya Mahamandleshwar by performing several religious rituals amid chanting of hymns," Kinnar Akhara's (eunuchs' camp) patron, Rishi Ajaydas said.
On the occasion, the activist extended invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit their Akhara and said, "Though Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has not visited the camp (kinnar akhara) yet, we have lot of hopes from the Prime Minister."

Laxmi also demanded that a 'Kinnar Protection and Welfare Board' be constituted by the government.
Akhara's patron Ajaydas said three peethadheeshwar at Delhi, Vadodara, and Jaipur were also appointed.
"The Akhara has declared 'talwar' (sword) as its trademark weapon. They (members) will wear white robes and don ekmukhi rudraskh mala. It will be headquartered in Ujjain," he said.
The akhara will work on the issues of environment conservation, cow protection, prevention of female foeticide and child marriage, Ajaydas said.
Transgenders are taking part in the month-long Simhastha Kumbh for the first time in the history of the mela, one of the biggest religious congregation of Hindus.