Relaxing Priest – Koovagam, India
Kartik Kumar S posted a photo:
Annual Transgender Festival
Transgender and people from nearby villages throng to the village of Koovagam every year on the eve of chitra pornami in the mouth of May to tie the mangalsutra from the temple priest of Koothandevar Temple who act as Incarnation of Lord Aravan.The very next day they take out the mangalsutra and bangles as a mark of widowship. These traditions are done by both males and transgenders)
Festival Story :
kshetrapuranas.blogspot.in/2011/01/koothandavar-spectacle…
It is said that Sri Krishna took the female form of Mohini to marry Aravan for fullfilling Aravan’s last wish who was to be sacrificed before the Mahabharata war for the victory of Pandavas.The small hamlet of Koovagam is present in the Vizhuppuram district of Tamil Nadu, making it virtually just another point on the map. However, once a year this tiny village turns into the biggest camp for transgenders from all over the country. They gather in flocks to take part in the rituals of a festival which lasts for 18 days, culminating on Chithira Pournami (April-May). A festival which has its traditions rooted in the very depths of the Mahabharatha war, Krishna’s cunningness and the noble nature of a very valiant young man.
Koovagam | Tamilnadu | May ’17
