Hijra (Hinjda, Aravani, Khusra)- Meaning, People, Religion, Samaj, Caste & History

Who are Hijra and History, Meaning or Definition of Hijra

Hijra is a term used in south asia specifically, in india and pakistan – to refer to transwomen (male-to-female transsexuals or transgender persons). in other regions of india, transgender people are also known as aravani, aruvani or jagappa. according to the kamasutra period, hijra have a recorded history in the indian subcontinent from ancient times. this history has had a number of well-known roles within the cultures of the subcontinent, part gender-marginal, part spiritual and part existential. india, pakistan, nepal and bangladesh have all legally recognized the existence of a third gender, which includes passports and other official documents.

In the culturally and linguistically diverse indian subcontinent, many words represent the same gender or gender categories. although they are broadly synonymous. they may be better understood as separate identities due to regional cultural differences. in odia, hijra is referred to as Hinjida, Hinjda or Napunsaka, in telugu as Napunsakudu, Kojja or Maada, in tamil as Thiru Nangai (mister woman), Ali, Arvani, or Aruvani, in punjabi as Khusra or Jankha, in sindhi as Khadra, and in gujarati as Pavaiyaa.

In north india, goddess Bahuchara Mata is worshiped by pawaiya. in south india, goddess renuka is believed to have the power to change gender. male devotees in female clothing are known as Jogappas. they perform roles similar to hijra, such as dancing and singing in birth ceremonies and weddings. one of the forms of lord shiva is the merger with parvati where together they are Ardhanari, a deity who is half shiva and half parvati. ardhanari is of particular importance as the protector of eunuchs, who identify with the ambiguity of gender. some eunuchs undergo an initiation rite in the eunuch community called nirvana, which involves the removal of the penis, scrotum and testicles.

The defining characteristic of most hijras is to leave home to become part of the hijra community, a community that isolates itself from the wider society and teaches its lesson in secret. a young person is initiated by following a guru, or teacher, who will teach the chela, or disciple, of the hijra ways of life. this includes leaving their home to live in community with other hijras, learning the ritual roles they play in hindu homes. hijra are expected to dance, sing and give blessings at both birth and marriage of hindus. for many hindus, the blessing of a hijra to a child would bestow fertility, prosperity and longevity to the child. one to two days after the marriage ceremony- hijra will be performed to bless the couple for fertility. for many hindus, it is the third linga nature of the eunuchs – including the sacrifice of their fertility to the goddess – that gives eunuchs this incredible religious power. in fact, eunuchs can even curse a family if they are abusive or refuse to pay for blessings. many hindus and eunuchs themselves take these blessings and curses very seriously, hijras say that they curse only in extreme circumstances. while eunuchs are often invited to perform these rituals, they will also attend unannounced births and marriages, claiming their right to be present as their sacred religious duty.

What is the gender of hijra?

The hijra (eunuch/transvestite) is an institutionalized third gender role in india. category of hijra by body types are
1. M2F: These people are born as male but associate themselves with female gender i.e. they identify themselves as female.
2. F2M: These people are born as female but associate themselves with male gender i.e. they identify themselves as male.
3. Eunuchs: males with their testicles removed or males born with rudimentary testes.
4. Intersex: intersex is a general term used for a variety of situations in which a person is born with reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn't fit the boxes of 'Female' or 'Male'. sometimes doctors do surgeries on intersex babies and children to make their bodies fit binary ideas of 'Male' or 'Female'.

What religion are hijras?

Hijras is biological and psychological term so its not part of Religion but majority of hijras following Hinduism, and other following Islam, Christianity.

Are hijras respected?

Hijras were well-respected and revered in ancient india. in fact, hijras play important roles in many hindu religious texts. while the hijra community is still revered by society at large and celebrated in religious and spiritual ceremonies, they are often victims of abuse and discrimination. violence and hate crimes against the community are common.

Famous People of the Hijra Community

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Ques 1. Who is known as Hijra?
Ans.: Hijra is a term used in south asia specifically, in india and pakistan – to refer to transwomen (male-to-female transsexuals or transgender persons). in other regions of india, transgender people are also known as aravani, aruvani or jagappa.

Ques 2. In which state Hijra population is more?
Ans.: The Hijra population are found in Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Bihar, Rajasthan and Delhi (India).

Ques 3.: What is the population of Hijra?
Ans.: Most of Hijra community live in South Asia. total population of Hijra is 0.5 Million approximately.

Ques 4. what is other names for Hijra?
Ans.: Hijra are also known as Eunuch, Kinnar, Aravani, Kothi, Shiv-Shakthis, Jogti Hijras.

Ques 5. what is the meaning of Hijra?
Ans.: The meaning of Hijra is 'Eunuchs, Intersex, and Transgender People.

Ques 6. Who are famous Hijra?
Ans.: List of Famous Personalities of Acharya community.
Laxmi Narayan Tripathi - Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of Kinnar akhada
Shabnam Mausi - Politician
A. Revathi - Writer, Transgender/Hijra rights activist.

Ques 7. Is hijra a man or woman?
Ans.: Hijra is neither male nor female because they third gender. hijra are intersexed, impotent men, who undergo emasculation in which all or part of the genitals are removed.

Ques 8. Do hijras give birth?
Ans.: No. hijras can't give birth because they are neither completely male nor female. Hijras have a recorded history in the Indian subcontinent since antiquity, as suggested by the Kama Sutra.

Ques 9. How can I become a hijra?
Ans.: Emasculation is process of become a hijra in which the removal of both the penis and the testicles, the external male sex organs and who want to become members of the hijra community are adopted by hijra gurus through an initiation ceremony.

Ques 10. Are hijras respected?
Ans.: Hijras play important roles in many Hindu religious texts. Hijras are respected always from ancient India.

Ques 11. Who is the God of hijras?
Ans.: Bahuchara Mata, Lord Shiva are Ideal of hijras community.

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