Indian being so inclusive and vast the reasons and stories are varying. But here are a few that I would like to bring it to your notice which I have actually come through my community.
Most popular of all, more so in the North. Rama, the Suryavanshi prince (Lord Rama) when leaving to his exile was followed by all the devotes but upon noticing this he gathered them all and asked them not to mourn and requested all men and women to return to their places in Ayodhya. Not much of a plot twist there, he forgot the Hijras, much like our Indian Government. Upon return he was impressed to see that the transgender being neither men or women hadn't moved from their places. Seeing such devotion he blessed them to bring good luck in auspicious events such as childbirth and weddings.
Ardhanarishwara, Madhubog and many other names given to the union of Shiva and Parvathi. This gender ambiguous/ transgender form is significant as being the patron deity of the transgenders. This also shows how the people of the past not only acknowledged alternative genders but valued them. A slight deviation in the Native American villages there are records of people who cross dressed and engaged in sodomy these people called as Joyas were held in high esteem.
The children of Ahiravan, Aravanis as self identified by many in the south from a story in the Mahabaratham. Ahiravan a night before his battle in the Kurukshetra wanted to be married but was unable to find a bride, knowing his assured doom. To fulfil his request Arjuna marries him in the form of Brihinala. A festival with great celebrations is observed with moaning and beauty pageants, quite the combo if you ask me.
The tale of Bahuchari Mata, a reality to too many. This story pains me because too many men and women are forced in marriages they do not desire and in a union they cannot unite in. The sex is distasteful at best, only for the purpose of escape from the social anxiety attached to being childless and the need for continuity. A young woman is married to man who does not satisfy her desire but often leaves by the night to the forest. She one night follows him and finds catches him in the act and infuriated by the deception, castrates him and curses that men must be forthcoming and true so that another must not suffer her fate. With that she turns to a goddess and is worshiped ever since.
Based on which part of India one is from a tale or two are associated with Hijras to help them survive the bigotry that has befallen. Belief has led to this respect, worship wouldn't be the right word its an unfair exchange and hope of good words from a Hijra that we seek.
While the tradition can continue its time we treated them as equal and no differently in other areas of life why holy here and unholy there? Is divinity only so small?
Your comments would be appreciated :)
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