Kuthandeshwarar Temple: Know About God Of Transgender And Religious Practices

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Koovagam in Ulundurpettai taluk of Tamil Nadu has a large hub of Tranvestite community. Koovagam is where the annual marriage festival of transgenders is celebrated for about 18 days in April-May at Koothandeswarar temple, at the temple of Aravan.

They have a deity called Aravan or Kuthandeshwarar and Mohini, a female avatar of Lord Krishna as their divine one day partners to whom they get married and then get widowed the very next day.

History: It may be surprising to hear that the chief deity Aravan, is the son of Arjuna and Naga Princess Ulupi who sacrificed his life for Kali to ensure the victory of Pandavas over Kauravas in the war.

But his only demand before dying was to experience the marital life for a day to which no one agreed.
Lord Vishnu, pleased with Aravans sacrifice, came forward in the guise of Mohini to marry him for a day.

This incident is enacted even today in the Transgender festival that goes on for 18 days. Aravan, the son of Arjuna Pandava, is the object of worship across India. This grandson of Pandu is particularly worshiped by the Tamil cult of Kuthandavar and the Draupadi cult.

Aravan's head is depicted with a mustache, large eyes and ears. He wears a conical crown, Tilak and earrings. He is also shown wearing the Naga Hood, or hoods emerging from his crown. Large curved teeth completes the picture of a demon.

He is the official chief God for the community of Transvestites. But where is the connection? He was the son of a brave warrior Arjuna and he himself had not shown any signs of being a transgender.

Probably he was chosen to be so because Arjuna had disguised himself as Bruhannala which is nothing but transgender. This is the reason why probably his son was chosen to be the lord of Hijras.

It could also be due to the fact that Aravan before sacrificing his body at the altar of Devi Kalika, had also killed his youthful emotions, with a stoic demeanour before getting ready to be sacriced.

His desires were killed and he was dead inside and outside and to the society. This is exactly what the Hijras have symbolically identified themselves with and hence have chosen Aravan to be their god or leader.

In south India, the transvestites are called Thirunangai, Aravani, and in south Asia they are recognized as Hijras.During the Mahabharata times, Aravan marries for a day and then sacrifices his life the next day.

The Transgender Wedding: It is a grand affair where thousands of Transvestities marry Aravan for a day. They are dressed in bridal attire and sing and dance, setting up a bonfire, and Walk towards the temple to get the thali tied to their necks.

First night follows after this. The next day morning, as the chariot of Aravan goes around the city, the Hijras realize that all is over, widowhood has crept in to their lives.

There is a commotion amongst the participants who cry inconsolably. They might be feeling myriad emotions, that can't be expressed.

Probably they realise the lack of love in their lives, probably they relive the problematic life they led in society so far, or they might even be angry with society for not letting them be recognized members of society.