Monday, November 29, 2010

Kottankulangara Sridevi Temple at Chavara in Kerala – Men Cross Dress for Goddess in Chamayavilakku Festival

According to Hindu tradition all animate and inanimate rise and fall in the Supreme Truth. This concept has given rise to numerous unique traditions in Hinduism like the Ardhanareeshwara and unique temple festivals related to the concept half-man and half-woman. One such festival is the Chamayavilakku festival held at the Kottankulangara Sridevi Temple at Chavara in Kerala. Chamayavilakku Festival 2010 date is March 24 and 25. The temple is dedicated to Vana Durga – an incarnation of Goddess Shakti.
Please note that the festival is today being associated with homosexuals, crossdressers and transgender. But this is not correct. The ritual is a unique offering done by straight men to the Goddess. Homosexuals, crossdressers and transgender actively participate in the ritual.
The ritual is held during the last two days of the 11-day temple festival. On the day, regular men from all walks of life dress up as women for the chamaya Vilakku (chamaya is make-up, vilakku is lamp). The offering is made for the fulfillment of desires or as a thanksgiving for a wish fulfilled.
Beautifully dressed in female clothes and with flowers on hair, lamps in hand, men wait patiently till the wee hours of dawn for the goddess to bless them.
The temple festival also attracts large number of homosexuals and transgender.
There are two legends that are associated with the Chamayavilakku Festival and Kottankulangara Sridevi Temple.
According to legend, little boys grazing cattle had first stumbled upon the deity worshipped in temple. While trying to dehusk a coconut, they accidentally hit a stone which began to bleed. The frightened children told their parents about this. The adults then consulted astrologers. Finally, the phenomenon was attributed to the presence of Vana Durga. A temple was built. The little boys dressed as girls and held lamps to welcome the goddess.

Another legend has it that a group of cowherds used to dress up as girls and playfully offer remains of the coconut after it is grated and the milk extracted to a murti or idol. Pleased by their devotion, the goddess, in the garb of an ordinary woman, appeared before them and blessed them.


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Kottankulangara Festival
The '''Kottankulangara Festival''' is an annual Hindu festival in Kerala, India in which thousands of men dress as women. The festival takes place at the Kottankulangara Devi temple at Chavara, Kerala which is sacred to the goddess Bhagavathy.
The '''Kottankulangara Festival''' is an annual Hindu festival in Kerala, India in which thousands of men dress as women. The festival takes place at the Kottankulangara Devi temple at Chavara, Kerala which is sacred to the goddess Bhagavathy.
- - -There is a temple named Kottankulangara Devi Temple at Chavara in Kollam. This is a place in Kerala where there is a religious offering by hindus , in which men dress up as girls and all make ups will be applied on them so that they will look like a real girl.


- - - This is a rare religious festival performed in south india and this is done to show respect to the Devi for the favours and blessings received. The boys wear set mundu and saree or pattu pavadai , churidhars and apply lipstick and put long hair wigs and after completing all such things these devotees will light up lamps and start visiting the temple as a procession.
- - - Kottankulangara photos is a very beautiful scene to watch with beautiful girl like boys, who can make the girls jealous of their wonderful beauty that amazes everyone with this transformation. Chamaya Vilakku is also known as Make Up Lamp and this procession is conducted at night when all of them will walk in the procession with lighted lamps to the temple.


set saree wearing male offering worship as a devotee in kottankulangara temple at kollam at the time of chamayavilakku festivalpavada davani blouse wearing male offering worship as a devotee in kottankulangara temple at kollam at the time of chamayavilakku festivalred saree wearing male offering worship as a devotee in kottankulangara temple at kollam at the time of chamayavilakku festival.


set saree wearing male offering worship as a devotee in kottankulangara temple at kollam at the time of chamayavilakku festival.
Lot of Homosexuals and transexuals, kothis in India from places like Kerala, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Mumbai attend this festival. You can reach this temple which is 14 km away from Kollam. ( Take a Bus or Train from Your Place to kollam in kerala and then go to this temple and then enquire in Bus Station about the Next Bus to Kottakulangara. ( Do not get trapped in hands of agents or guides who will ask for Huge Fees to Guide you to the temple)
- - - To attend this festival of men dressing as women you have to follow below tips,