The Durga Puja pandal for this goddess is not ready, delayed partly because of local reservations.
As Bengal decks up for its big festival starting Monday, one Durga Puja in a narrow north Kolkata lane has become the talk of the town, if not the world.
The idol is not the usual figure of a woman. It's "Ardhanarishwar" - a half man, half woman. Mythologically, half Shiva, half Parvati with iconographic roots in Puranic canons, this idol worship has been organised by transgenders -- hijras in common parlance.
There are similar idols at a temple at Mandi in Himachal Pradesh and at the Elephanta Caves in Mumbai.
People usually cry when Goddess Durga leaves. But Bhanu Naskar is in tears even before pujas have begun. Bhanu and friends hosting the Durga are all transgenders. And many locals have not been kind.
Wiping her tears, Bhanu says, "I am crying because I was born in this area and yet I have had to listen to a lot of criticism for this puja. We will do it. We have fought for long. We will fight for this too."
Bhanu Naskar and friends are members of the Pratyay Gender Trust which is collaborating with the Joy Mitra Ydyami Club to organise the puja, Pratyay's Anindya says, "When news went out that this puja is being done by hijras and transpersons, it was not really a friendly atmosphere."
"But it was also the beginning of a dialogue which is very necessary. There has been no such dialogue before. The pujas are supposed to be 'sarbojonin' or a community celebrations. We are part of the community," Anindya says.
There have been many happy surprises too. China Pal, Kolkata's only woman idol maker, had no issues.
"Why shouldn't I make their idol? They are human, I am human. The Mother is coming in their minds. Why shouldn't I make the goddess for them? They are doing the puja. I hope others will support them," she said.
Udyami Club's Rajiv Vajpayee said, "Some people are objecting saying, why are you doing the pujas with hijras, we could have done it ourselves, were hijras needed? We are saying, why not? They are part of our society. Why can't we walk with them?"
The pandal for this goddess is not ready, delayed partly because of local reservations. Inauguration is scheduled for Sunday evening. Transgenders worldwide are holding their breath. One of them wrote in saying, "I am getting goose bumps".