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Colours of Koovagam

Transgender people are also known as 'Hijras'. They've always been subject to mockery and are objectified. Most of them spend their life by begging or being a sex slave. Transpersons aren't successful in gaining respect and recognition from other people. 


Koovagam Village of Ullndurpettai, Tamil Nadu, celebrates India's biggest transgender festival that is the Koovagam Festival.  This village is also the abode of deity Aravana.


Aravana or Iravan is the God of transgenders who was born before marriage to its parents  Arjuna and  Ulupi. He was the one who sacrificed himself to Lordess Kali on the 18th day of the Mahabharata war to make Pandavas conquer the battle.



Aravana desired not to die unmarried and since he was about to die the next day, women refused to marry him. They were scared of widowhood and the post-life turmoils from the next day of marriage. However, Krishna in Mohini Avatar married him and Aravan died the next day.


Koovangam is celebrated in the month of Chaitra (March/April as per the English calendar). It is an 18-day festival. The program involves 16 days of joy with recreational activities likes skits, blood donation camps, beauty pageant awards, etc. This event is celebrated among 30,000 transgender community and is very vibrant and eclectic.



After 16 days of fun on the 17th day, women visit Koothandawar temple and marry Aravan. They get themselves dressed up as Mohini (the incantation of Vishnu) wearing beautiful Bangles, Saree, Gajra, Gold, and Silver ornaments. 


The very next day, called Azhukalam their ornaments and vermilion are removed and they are supposed to mourn the death of Aravan wearing a white saree.



The transgender community is also named Aravanis as they are descendants of Aravana. This festival makes their identity being acknowledged and they feel proud to flaunt their sexuality.

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Image courtesy: www.newindianexpress.com


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Comments

  1. UnknownDecember 2, 2020 at 5:42 PM

    Very well written!
    Important message for society.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Vidya Sagar DubeyDecember 2, 2020 at 10:52 PM

    Shruti, just keep it up. You are really amazing😊.

    ReplyDelete

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