Chamayavilakku festival held at the Kottankulangara Sridevi Temple at Chavara in Kerala is seen
by many as a transgender festival. Chamayavilakku Festival 2025 date is March
24 and 25. The festival is annually held in March. The festival is today being
associated with homosexuals, crossdressers and transgender. But this is not
correct. The ritual is a unique offering done by straight men to the Goddess.
Homosexuals, crossdressers and transgender actively participate in the ritual.
The ritual is held during the last two days of the 11-day
temple festival. On the day, regular men from all walks of life dress up as
women for the Chamayavilakku (chamaya is make-up, vilakku is lamp). The
offering is made for the fulfillment of desires or as a thanksgiving for a wish
fulfilled.
Beautifully dressed in female clothes and with flowers on
hair, lamps in hand, men wait patiently till the wee hours of dawn for the
goddess to bless them.
According to legend, little boys grazing cattle had first
stumbled upon the deity worshipped in temple. While trying to dehusk a coconut,
they accidentally hit a stone which began to bleed. The frightened children
told their parents about this. The adults then consulted astrologers. Finally, the
phenomenon was attributed to the presence of Vana Durga. A temple was built.
The little boys dressed as girls and held lamps to welcome the goddess.
Another legend has it that a group of cowherds used to dress
up as girls and playfully offer remains of the coconut after it is grated and
the milk extracted to a murti or idol. Pleased by their devotion, the goddess,
in the garb of an ordinary woman, appeared before them and blessed them.