IN PICS | Koovagam — The Transgender Community's Festival In Tamil Nadu

Written By : Bharathi | Updated at : 20 Apr 2022 12:24 PM (IST)

A transwoman getting married during Koothandavar Temple festivities | Credit: ABP Nadu

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In a 18-day long festival conducted in Koovagam village in Kallakurichi district, the transwomen first participate in a beauty pageant where one of them is crowned as Miss Koovagam 2022

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This year a transwoman from Chennai, Mehandi, was crowned as Miss Koovagam 2022

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After the beauty pageant, the transwomen attend Koothandavar temple festivities. Until the last day of the festival, transwomen sing, dance and celebrate. Several NGOs also conduct HIV/AIDs awareness campaign

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On the day of main festivities, the transwomen dress up to marry Aravan. A mythological character in Hindu epic Mahabharata

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As per mythology, during the bloody battle of Pandavas with their cousins, the Pandavas were forced to sacrifice a valiant solider Aravan and as a last wish unmarried Aravan wanted to get married before his death

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So Lord Krishna in order to fulfill the wish of Aravan became an angel Mohini and got married. Therefore, the transwomen buy nuptial threads

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Later, they get married with temple priests tying the nuptials

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On the day, they'll celebrate their marriage and feel contented with their life

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The temple authorities also take Lord Shri Koothandavar in a procession

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However, after one night since Aravan is believed to be sacrificed in the war, the transwomen imagine themselves as a 'widow' and do final rites to Aravan