Breaking stereotypes, transgender priestess performs last rites of father in Gujarat

Breaking away from tradition, a 55-year-old transgender woman performed the last rites of her father at a village in Gujarat's Panchmahals district.

Puja Masi performed the last rites of her 100-year-old father Samantsinh B Gohil, who was a carpenter as well as a farmer, at Dhanol village under Godhra taluka of the neighbouring Panchmahals district on Tuesday. "My father was 100 years old. He had two wives," she said.

Gohil is survived by Puja and her elder brother. Puja claimed that her father had earlier instructed all the family members to allow her to perform his last rites. She led the funeral procession and lit the pyre after reaching the crematorium.

Puja is a priestess at a temple of Goddess Meldi Mata located in Godhra.