PRAYAGRAJ, Nov. 5 -- In a formal religious ceremony on Tuesday, seers who recently split from the Kinnar Akhara formally appointed Kaushalyanand Giri, popularly known as Tina Maa, as the Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of the newly formed Sanatani Kinnar Akhara.

The Pattabhishek (anointment) ceremony was conducted amid the chanting of sacred Vedic hymns by 51 scholars, in the presence of sadhus and members of the Kinnar (transgender) community.

During the ceremony, fellow seers presented the new Acharya Mahamandaleshwar with a ceremonial canopy and robe, symbolising reverence and acceptance. The atmosphere reverberated with the beats of damrus and chants of "Jai Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Tina Maa!"

Following the anointment, Acharya Mahamandale...