Koovagam Koothandavar Thiruvizha, kallakurichi

The Koovagams Koothandavar Thiruvizha is dedicated to the transgender community Annually during the Tamil month of Chithirai April  May thousands of transgender people from all over the country assemble in Koovagam a tiny town in the district of Kallakurichi Tamil Nadu to celebrate a 15day festival known as Koothandavar ThiruvizhaHistory and SignificanceThe Mahabharata contains an intriguing story about the main deity Lord Koothandavar who is linked with the Pandavas triumph in the 18day battle According to the Mahabharata Koothandavar is Aravan the son of Pandava prince Arjuna who decided to become a human sacrifice so that the Pandavas might defeat the Kauravas in the Kurukshetra conflict Koothandavar desired to experience marital life at least once before being sacrificed Women on the other hand despised widowhood and no one was willing to marry a prince who would die the next day Lord Krishna granted Aravans desire by adopting the appearance of a woman Mohini The next day Aravan sacrificed his life and Mohini mourned like a widowKoovagam ThiruvizhaEvery year transgender people who consider themselves the avatars of Mohini gather at the Koothandavar temple to celebrate this religious festival During the 15day festival transgenders dress up like brides to marry Lord Koothandavar with a nuptial thread known as  Thaali  recreating the ancient episode of Aravan and Mohini Kovagams renowned beauty pageant is also held and the charming transgender woman is crowned with the title of  Ms  Koovagam The final day of the festival is known as the day of sacrifice On this day Lord Koothandavar is carried in procession around the temple whilst transgender people cut their nuptial threads break glass bangles and wear white sarees to grieve the loss of their spouse Aravan and portray widowhood