Koovagam 2007. LIVE FROM TAMIL NADU, INDIA

Aravani Festival 2007 in Chennai where transgenders from all over India come to ceremoniously marry Aravan, only to become his widow the next morning. The night, however, is spent in conjugal bliss!
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http://diepiriye.blogspot.com/

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Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Aravani
• Hidjra
• hijra
• India
• transgender
• festival
• tirunangai
• thirunangai

[martianluv]

Thank you for posting this. I am a hindu from Kerala, and am openly gay. Of course, being open about that fact is not very common among Indians, especially Malayalis like myself.

Lord Aravan (the god of Kuvagam, to whom this festival is dedicated) is very special to me. Were you there for the entire festival? Did you get any footage of Lord Aravan on his wedding cart?

Again, Thanks again for posting this!

[diepiriye]

Hi there. Thanks for commenting. I did get some sketchy footage, but I am one who would rather be there with the memories than with the camera, so I'll have to go back next year & do a better camera job. You should know that trans-folks all over the world are embracing these celebrations as a collective history so it's important to get it right & get the facts out. Thanks for sharing your ideas. Ever think of making a video talking about your own experiences? We all need to hear real stories.

[devadasi1]

where in chennai is this....when did it happen?

[diepiriye]

Koovagam, just near Villupuram. This happens each spring, tis year is was is April. You should go.

[abusalik1]

தாய் தந்தைகளுக்கு ஒரு வேண்டுகோள் 3 ஆம் பாலினமாக பிறந்தது யாருடைய குற்றம் அவர்கள் என்ன பாவம் செய்தார்கள் அவர்களை கேலி செய்வதை இனிமேலாவது இந்த சமுதாயம் நிறுத்த வேண்டும் இறைவன் படைப்பை தயவு செய்து யாரும் இனி குறை

[sano16sun]

go to facebook and type thiru nangai , its a site for helping akkas , and be in contact .... add ur friends , we r ready to help upcoming sister , and lets be together ..... Tamil thirunangai for ever

[jeejix]

ஜீஜிக்ஸ் டாட் காமில் - மூன்றாம் பாலினம்

[martianluv]

Also, I dont know if you have heard of the "Chamaya Villakku" festival at the Bagavathy Temple of Kotankulangara. It is similar to the above in that gay and transexual people from all across India are involved. The story is that Bagavathy was discovered within a sacred stone by young shepards who cross-dressed to entertain each other. Devi was pleased by this, and requested that men come to her temple in womens dress.

The Kothies make the case that the temple originally belonged to them.