The Kottankulangara Festival or Chamayavilakku is an annual Hindu festival in Kerala, India in which thousands of male devotees dress-up as females and celebrate the festival.[1]

Kottankulangara Chamayavilakku
Men dressed up as women during 2017 Kottankulangara Chamayavilakku festival
Official nameകൊറ്റൻകുളങ്ങര ചമയവിളക്ക്
Observed byMalayalees
TypeHindu festival
SignificanceMen dress-up as women to seek the blessings of Bhagavathi
Begins10th of Meenam
Ends11th of Meenam
FrequencyAnnual

The festival takes place at the Kottankulangara Devi temple at Kollam, which is sacred to the goddess Bhagavathy.[2] Every year, this festival is celebrated on the 10th and 11th day of the Malayalam month Meenam which falls on the 24th and 25th of the year.[1]

On the festival day, thousand of devotees visit the temple to seek the blessings of the goddess Bhagavathy. The men dress up in the female attire of their choice. Some wear set sari, pattu sari, half sari or even dance costumes.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 "Chamayavilakku Festival, a unique festival celebrated in Kerala, where men dress up as women". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  2. ↑ "Kottankulangara Chamayavilakku Festivals, Kollam, Hindu festivals, Temple, Kerala Tourism". Kerala Tourism. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  3. ↑ "Chamayavilakku: Kerala's unique festival, where men dress up as women". TimesNow. 28 March 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.

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