You must have seen many men becoming women or acting as women in Bollywood or serials, but there is a place in India where men go to temples wearing women's sarees, you must have heard this and thought that how is it possible? If so, then let us tell you that it is true. One such festival is celebrated in Kerala, where every year men dress up as women and are seen with makeup. There is hardly any festival in the world where men wear women's clothes. Let us tell you about this festival.
Chamayavilakku at Kottanakulangara Sree Devi Temple
Chamayavilakku, a very unique festival of Kerala, is celebrated at the Kottanakulangara Sree Devi Temple in Kollam. It is a festival celebrated for 10-12 days in March, on the last day men decorate women's clothes, ornaments, and jasmine flowers, not only this, they also remove their mustache and beard for this festival. On this day men visit the temple from a distance of 5 km. Many men from Kerala and other South Indian states come to this place to please the Lord. Not only this, but the transgender community also participates in the festival with full enthusiasm.
Story of Kottanakulangara Chamayavilakku
It is believed that a group of cowherd boys, dressed as girls, went around a stone, which they gradually came to believe to be a god. One day, the goddess herself appeared before him with a stone. The news of this incident spread in the village and considering the stone as a divine wish, a temple was built there. Similarly, men gave rise to the tradition of wearing women's clothes. Now, men dressed as women perform chamayavilakku (a lamp lit with five lights) in the temple every year to please the goddess and fulfill her wishes.
Make-up artists preparing men in the temple
This festival is celebrated every year at Kottankulanagara Sree Devi Temple in the Kollam district of Kerala. This is known as Chamayavilakku. Meanwhile, men wear saris and jewelry like women. You will find makeup artists or family members who make up the men within the temple premises itself.
when to visit the temple
You can travel during March. The auspicious time to visit the temple is from 2 am to 5 am. Tourists can buy Chamayavilakku on rent from shops outside the temple. Along with this, you will also find many parlors for women's makeovers here. It is believed that the faith attracts thousands of devotees to Kottankulangara Sri Devi Temple every year.
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