Koothandavar is the deity worshipped in the famous Koothandavar Temple
Koothandavar is known as Aravan in the Mahabharata.
In the Mahabharata, Koothandavar, son of Pandava prince
Arjuna, agreed to become the human sacrifice so that the Pandavas can win the Kurukshetra
battle against the Kauravas.
However, Koothandavar wished to get married before being
offered as a sacrifice.
But no woman was ready to marry the prince who was to die
the next day. All women dreaded the widowhood which awaited them soon after the
marriage.
As no woman was ready, Bhagvan Sri Krishna took the Mohini
avatar (female incarnation) and married Koothandavar.
The next day, Sri Krishna as Mohini grieved the loss of Koothandavar
by removing her thali (sacred thread tied by the groom around the neck of bride
during marriage) and breaking her bangles.
Transgenders, who consider themselves avatars of Mohini,
congregate at the Koothandavar temple every year to take part in the religious
event. It is observed on the Tuesday before after Chithirai Pournami – full
moon day in Chithirai month.