Trangenders or Hijraj cry to mourn the death of Aravan near Koothandavar Temple in Koovagam village. Priest cuts their mangalsutra and breaks their bangles.
Koothandavar festival of Koovagam is one of the many bizarre and strange customs and festivals observed in India. The very basis of the festival, its associated rituals and the people involved make it the weirdest possible celebration on earth. A celebration of love and death, of sacrifice and life.
Every spring, thousands of transgenders, eunuchs and cross-dressers from all over India and neighbouring countries flock to the southern Indian village of Koovagam, for Hindu celebration of transgender people.
The ‘Koovagam’ is a two-day festival held at Koothandavar Temple in the honour of the Hindu god Aravan (also known as Iravan), who is believed to be the patron god of transgender communities.
According to a Hindu legend, Aravan, the son of the Pandava Arjuna, sacrificed himself to ensure the victory of the Pandava brothers against the Kauravas during Mahabharata.
Before he sacrificed himself, Aravan wished to marry a woman and spend the night with her. In order to fulfil Aravan’s request, Lord Krishna transformed himself into an attractive woman, Mohini. She grieved like a widow, breaking her bangles and beating her breasts after Aravan sacrificed himself the next day.
To act out the story of Aravan, the transgender devotees come each year and in a symbolic ritual, the participants take on the role of Mohini. The bride takes a ritual bath in the pond on the wedding day. Then she puts on make-up and a group of brides help each other deck out before their wedding. The bride then proceeds towards the temple and get married to Aravan by the temple priest. Then the next day, they mourn Aravan’s death by participating in ritualistic dances and breaking their bangles.
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