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Showing posts from May 17, 2015


Sitala Puja 2024 – Sitala Mata Puja date

Sitala Puja is dedicated to Goddess Sitala in the month of Chaitra (March – April) as per the traditional calendar followed in  North India . Sitala Puja 2024 date is April 2. Sitala Mata Puja and Vrat is observed on the eighth day (ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (waning phase of moon) in Chaitra month. The popular belief is that observing this Vrata will help in curing various diseases. Goddess Sitala is propitiated to get rid of several diseases like chickenpox. A unique ritual of offering stale food is observed during Sitala Puja. Food need for Sheetala Ashtami puja is prepared a day before in advance. People offer various food items to the Sitala Mata on the day. People also feed old people on the day and take their blessings. It must be noted here that some communities observe the eighth day of Krishna Paksha of every month as Sitala Ashtami. But the most auspicious one is the Chaitra Krishna Paksha Ashtami.

Koovagam Temple – Information about Koothandavar Temple

Koovagam Temple , known as Koothandavar Thirukoil, is located in Vizhuppuram district of Tamil Nadu. The temple is dedicated to Aravaan or Iravan who is worshipped here as Koothandavar. The temple is famous for the Koovagam Transgender festival held during the full moon day in Chithirai Month (April – May). The temple has numerous murtis (idols) of deities from the Hindu pantheon. The important murtis are that of Koothandavar, Mohini and Hanuman. The Koovagam festival is observed for 18-days and it is known as Chitra Pournami Festival. Other important festival days are Aadi Amavasya and Thai Pongal. The temple is open for darshan daily from 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM. And from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The contact address of the temple is Arulmigu Koothandavar Thirukoil Koovagam Ulundurpet Taluk, Villupuram District, Pin Code: 606 102. e-mail:koovagamkoothandavartemple@gmail.com Related Story of Koothandavar

Transgender Festival in Tamil Nadu in India – Transgender Festival at Koothandavar Temple at Koovagam in Villupuram in Tamil Nadu

Transgender Festival in Tamil Nadu in India is observed at the Koothandavar Temple . The festival is dedicated to the worship of Koothandavara. Koothandavar Transgender Festival 2019 date is April 16. It is said that Sri Krishna took the form of Mohini – a female form to marry Aravan who was to be sacrificed before the Mahabharata war. The marriage takes place on April 16, 2019. Next day, on April 17 the thali is removed, mourning the death of Aravaan (Koothandavar). The festival is observed for a fortnight – nearly 18 days from April 3, 2019 to April 17, 2010. The beauty contest is on April 15, 2019. The festival is observed on the Tuesday before Chithirai Pournami or the full moon day in Chaitra month.  Thousands of transgender, homosexuals and eunuchs participate in the festival. The festival includes marriage of Iravan and his sacrifice. On the final day an effigy of Koothandavara (Iravan) is burned – symbolically his sacrifice. Koovagam   Village  is loca