Bhubaneswar: While Sabitri Brata/Sabitri Puja is generally associated with married women praying and fasting for the longevity of their spouses, members of the transgender community across the state broke the norm and observed a fast on the auspicious occasion today.
At Balasore’s Loknath temple, transgenders observed the holy fast. Clad in bright red sarees, they were seen with puja thalis in their hands. Performing the rituals they offered sindoor, alata, fruits, and flowers to the deities as a part of the brata.
Similarly, transgenders from Vani Vihar kinnar basti in the capital city Bhubaneswar also observed Sabitri brata and offered prayer to the deities.
Noteworthy, members of the Transgender community or ‘Kinnar Samaj’ also observe Sabitri Brata. On this auspicious day, they worship their ‘Gurus’ as their husbands and pray for their good health and long life.
This custom is followed by the third gender community across the country, especially in states like Odisha, Maharashtra, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
Also Read: Sabitri Puja Observed By Married Women Across The State
Ms Kalinga