KOOVAGAM
:
Koovagam
is a southern village. Which is famous for Chittirai - Pournami
festival, where thousands of devotees from as far away as
New Delhi and Bombay pour into Koovagam to offer prayers
to the presiding deity.
The
vareity of this festival apart from hundreds of others is
,men dressed in saris, elaborate wigs, and bright plastic
jewelry and act like woman. But this festival is mainly
for Eunuch - third gender people who worship Aravan.
The
origins of this festival can be traced to a Hindu tale in
which Aravan, a man about to be sacrificed to the gods,
asked to be married before dying. To fulfill this last wish,
the god Krishna is said to have assumed the form of a beautiful
woman and married Aravan.
Each
April, on the night of the full moon, this ancient myth
comes to life in Koovagam, where Aravan is still worshipped.
Scores of make-shift stalls selling coconuts, flowers, and
bangles spring up to cater to the nearly two thousand devotees
from around the country who arrive on foot, or by train,
truck, bus, or bullock cart.
KOTTANKULANGARA
CHAMAYAVILAKKU :
Chamayavilakku
festival for the year 2005 falls on the 24th and 25th of
March
Kottankulangara
Chamayavilakku falls on the 10th and 11th of every Meenam
of the Malayalam calendar year (usually by the end of March)
as the conclusion of the festival at Chavara Major Kottankulangara
Devi Temple. Kottankulangara is situated a few yards from
Chavara on the outskirts of Kollam city. On the final two
days of the festival, tens and thousands of men dress up
as women to pay respects to the deity and for the fulfillment
of wishes.
There are many
stories regarding the origin of the festival but the most
popular one goes that there were a group of boys herding
cows and during their play, they used to act as shy girls
and offer flowers and a coconut dish called kottan to a
stone. One of the boys had a divine reception from the Devi
and subsequently a temple without an outer wall was constructed
and the ritual of men dressed as women offering prayers
to the Devi started.
People from all
over the world come here to offer their prayers and seek
the blessings of Devi. They carry the traditional lamp called
chamayavilakku and wait for the procession of the Devi to
come and see them. The lamp is a peculiarity of this temple
and is seen here only. The lamp is mounted on a long wooden
rod and has a height up to the waist. There are five lights,
which are lighted on the same lamp, and the lamp is lighted
from a main lamp in the temple. Men dress up as women here
to fulfill their vows and to thank the Devi for the favours
they have received due to Devi’s blessings. Some people
ask for promotions, some ask for a good job, some ask for
a long awaited child, and some to get married to their lover.
There are also many groups who come from minor temples around
the place. Men of all ages, from the smallest infant to
very old people come here dressed as females to fulfill
their desires and for Devi’s blessings.
Men who come
here dress in all sorts of costumes but the favorite is
the saree and also the traditional kerala settu mundu. Younger
people also done the churidaar and modern dresses like Choli,
Serara, Midi Top etc. Some men can even be seen dressed
in dance costume.
Although the
whole festival is in a mood of utmost faith and devotion
to the Devi, and people who dress up with that in mind avoid
revealing and vulgar dresses, there are some elements who
take this opportunity to have some fun. They dress up in
costumes like the ones we see in filmi dances and roam around
to display. Then there are the eve teasers who would simply
pass remarks and comment even if you tie a saree round a
pole. These people are the ones who bring a bad name to
the festival.
Due to the Internet
and the various websites and groups, this festival has come
to be known to all cross dressers and is commonly known
as the CD Festival of Kollam. I do acknowledge the desire
of the cross dressers to some out in the open at least once
a year but they should not take it as an opportunity just
to have fun. If they come with the faith in their minds,
then the all-prevailing Devi will certainly fulfill their
desires.
I
have gone to the temple with faith and I am proud to say
that Devi has never disappointed me.
Makeup
and hired ladies dresses etc. are available here at festival
site on moderate payments. For more details, you can contact
Radha as
She is a regular visitor of this festival.
A
FEW RULES FOR THE FESTIVAL
Go to the temple with faith in your minds. Let it not be
just for fun.
Strictly follow temple rules and practices and instructions
of the festival organisers
Dress modestly, preferably in Indian dresses. Avoid revealing
clothes and indecent exposure
Do not go alone. Let there be someone to help you
Do not encourage eve-teasing
