PRAYAGRAJ: A 45-year-old Jewish transgender Isha Benjamin from Mumbai joined Kinnar Akhara on Monday. She will be consecrated as Mahant in Kinnar Akhara during Maha Kumbh. Isha's father was a Jew, and her mother was Hindu.
Isha, being a postgraduate, is currently working in a USA-based company. Isha says, " I learnt a lot about Sanatan Dharma from my mother."
Isha also said, "I was in contact with Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Dr Laxmi Narayan Tripathi Maharaj of Kinnar Akhara for about three years. By joining Sanatan Dharma, we have to strengthen and propagate it."
Meanwhile, Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Dr Laxmi Narayan Tripathi Maharaj of Kinnar Akhara said, "Isha's entry will strengthen Sanatan Dharma".
"Isha Benjamin will be made the Mahant of Kinnar Akhara in Maha Kumbh," he added.
Jagadguru Swami Narayanacharya Shandilya Ji Maharaj Shringaverpur Dham has welcomed the initiative of Kinnar Akhara.
He said that today Sanatan Dharma needs strengthening and promotion. For this, the initiative of Kinnar Akhara is commendable and praiseworthy. Jagadguru Swami Shandilya Ji Maharaj said that Kinnar Akhara is doing remarkable work in the field of Sanatan Dharma, which is praiseworthy.
During this, senior member of UP Kinnar welfare board and state president of UP Kinnar Akhara Mahamandaleshwar Swami Kaushalyanand Giri (Tina Maa), Mahamandaleshwar Swami Pavitra Nand Giri, Mahamandaleshwar Swami Gayatri Nand Giri, social worker Rajiv Kumar Mishra, Principal Dr Hariprakash Yadav, and other prominent people were present.