Bahuchara Mata

Bahuchara Mata- The Goddess of Fertility

Bahuchara Mata, also known as Bedhraj Mata is worshiped by either woman who are seeking for a baby, man who wants to keep impotency at bay or hijra or transgender community. She is a Hindu Goddess who rides a rooster and carries a trident in one hand and scripture in another. She also stands for non-violence and innocence and is impressed by her worshiper’s selfless devotion. To prove their worth to Goddess Bahuchara, males cut off their genitals and dress up as a woman and become her ardent followers. They sing and dance for her and take her name in a repetitive mode.

Myths related to Bahuchara Mata

Bahuchara Mata was born in the Charan caste, which is known for its honor. It is believed that Bahuchara Mata was travelling in a caravan with her sisters when a bandit named Bapiya tried to molest her. She neither subjected to his will nor did she try to kill herself. She rather made a point by cutting off her breast, thus shedding her femininity. Her act was to save herself from any kind of sexual harassment and also to curse Bapiya with impotency. As Charan caste was against violence, she asked Bapiya to attain penance by dressing like a woman and behaving like one, thus ultimately shedding his masculinity.

Since then Bahuchara Mata has become the patronage Goddess of hijras. They feel solace in her dedication and find blessings in myths of Hindu tradition based on their community. Because of their attachment to Bahuchara Mata, hijras are believed to have the power of cursing a kid with impotency. Therefore they visit every house with a new born baby and bless him only if they are treated nicely and respected and are given some shagun.

Adhanari

The cutting of genitals and dressing like woman also symbolizes the concept of Adhanari, depicted by Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Any woman is incomplete without her other half, the man and vice-a versa. Therefore respect of every gender and acceptance of both feminine and masculine qualities... Read More