Men Transform into Women for Special Ceremony at Kerala Temple
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Synopsis
In a remarkable ritual at the Kottankulangara Devi temple in Chavara, Kerala, thousands of men dress as women for two days in devotion to the goddess. This unique practice, part of the annual festival, symbolizes the fulfillment of wishes and has grown in popularity over time.
Key Takeaways
- Kottankulangara Chamayavilakku is a unique ritual in Kerala.
- Over 10,000 men participate annually.
- Local women assist males in wearing sarees.
- The ritual has historical roots linked to folklore.
- Participants carry distinct lamps unique to the temple.
Kollam, March 25 (NationPress) In the vibrant region of Kerala, the Kottankulangara Devi temple located in Chavara, Kollam, hosts an extraordinary ritual where, for two consecutive days, thousands of men don the attire of 'women' as an expression of their devotion to the goddess.
Clad in traditional garments, they assemble in lengthy lines, each individual holding a unique lamp in their hands.
This remarkable tradition, referred to as "Kottankulangara Chamayavilakku", occurs during the final two days of the temple's 19-day annual festival.
According to local lore, men who adopt female attire during this period and offer their prayers to the deity are believed to have their wishes granted.
The ritual's origins can be traced back to a group of cowherd boys who, as per folklore, would whimsically dress as girls and present flowers along with a local delicacy known as 'kottan' to a stone.
Legend has it that the goddess appeared to one of the boys, which led to the founding of the temple and the enduring nature of this unique practice. The stone is now enshrined as the temple's deity, and many believe it has been growing in size over time.
As the years have passed, the festival's scale has expanded significantly, with over 10,000 men participating each year. Many of these participants come with family and friends, while local women lend a hand to those who are new to wearing a saree, the traditional outfit for the ritual. Participants also apply intricate makeup, making it hard to distinguish between genders.
Remya, a local inhabitant, has observed the festival's rising popularity. "Every year, more people arrive from far-off places and diverse faiths to join in. The local women, myself included, assist the men and boys who find sarees challenging. With the makeup, it often becomes impossible to tell who is male or female," she shared with IANS.
While the most auspicious hours for the ritual fall between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., the gathering of devotees extends into the evening due to the high turnout. Participants bear the temple's iconic lamps, which are mounted on long wooden rods reaching waist height. These lamps, which can be rented, are a distinctive aspect of the ritual and are unique to this temple.
As the festival draws to a close early on Wednesday, thousands of devotees will depart, taking with them their hopes, prayers, and the blessings of the goddess.
