ABSTRACT
This chapter delineates (ritualized) power animating the existence of the transgender Shivashaktis, who embody religiosity and remain central to certain ritual processes of Dalit-Bahujan communities in the Telangana region of southern India. It simultaneously reflects on the socio-political and economic marginalities of these Shivashaktis on account of their low-class, caste positions along with their sexual and gender ambiguities. Gender ambiguity embodied by transgender Shivashaktis is simultaneously empowering in ritual and religious contexts engendering their acceptance among the communities who believe in Shivashaktis’ special power to communicate with deities. But embeddedness in family, community life and religious practices constrain and regulate their (homo)erotic desire.
