Latest news with #Aravan
New Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Brides of Aravan
Chennai Brides of Aravan Eighteen days. That is how long the Kurukshetra war in the Mahabharata lasted. It is also how long the Koovagam Koothandavar temple festival is celebrated in Villupuram district. The festival is celebrated to honour and mourn Aravan — Arjuna's son born out of wedlock. In the epic, Aravan was sacrificed to Goddess Kali on the 18th day of the war by the Pandavas to ensure their victory. A day before sacrificing him, lord Krishna appeared as Mohini to fulfill Aravan's dying wish — to be married and to consummate. So, every year, the festival sees a large influx of devotees and trans people, who stage plays, sing, dance, and participate in beauty pageants for the first 16 days. TNIE lensman Sriram R documented the festival — how on the 17th day, transwomen get thaalis (sacred thread) tied by priests, become Aravan's brides; and on 18th day, they mourn Aravan's death, cut their thaalis, crush their bangles and burn them, wear white clothes, symbolising widowhood. The festival this year, in pictures.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Koovagam festival celebrates transgender identity and the legend of aravan
In the Mahabharata , when the five Pandavas decided to sacrifice Aravan to ensure victory over the Kauravas in battle, Aravan expressed his wish to marry. No one stepped forward, knowing Aravan would be sacrificed the next day. According to legend, Lord Krishna transformed into a woman and married year, Koovagam village in Kallakurichi district comes alive with the Koothandavar temple festival , which, over 18 days, commemorates the epic battle between the Pandavas and Kauravas. Thousands of transgender people come together at the temple dedicated to Koothandavar (Aravan), the son of Tuesday, the penultimate day, devotees donned elaborate costumes, wore their favourite jewellery, and queued up at the temple to have their thalis tied, marking their symbolic marriage. On Wednesday, the final day of the festival, devotees broke their thalis and bangles, wiped off their sindoor, and mourned the sacrifice of their husband, Koothandavar, before taking a holy dip in the lake.A beauty contest was also held as part of the festival. "I'm fortunate to have been accepted by my parents, and it's something I hope for others as well," says S Renuga, crowned Miss Koovagam 2025. The 24-year-old model from Chennai, originally from Tirunelveli, says though she missed out on the title the previous year, she was determined to win this your feedback with name and address to
