Koothandavar festival

About Koothandavar festival:

• In the Tamil month ofChithirai (mid-April to mid-May), the 18-day Koothandavar festival takes place in Koovagam of Tamil Nadu.
• It is the annual event, steeped in tradition, garners global attention for its unique celebration of the transgender identity.
• History
  • In a Tamil version of the Mahabharata, a character called Aravan offered himself as sacrifice for the Pandavas’ triumph in war.
  • It is said he had a boon of marriage before his sacrifice but no woman wanted to marry him as it would mean widowhood.
  • Eventually, it is said Lord Krishna married Aravan after taking the form of Mohini. Lore has it that Lord Krishna grieved for Aravan as a widow.
• Rituals
  • The focal point of the festival, Lord Aravan's sacrificical ritual.
  • On the 17th day of the ceremony, transwomen from far and wide congregate to wed Lord Aravan.
  • The next day, as the culmination of the festival, Aravan would be sacrificed in the war.
  • Marking his death, the transwomen who married him go through the rituals of widowhood, lamenting Aravan's death.