KOTTANKULANGARA CHAMAYAVILAKKU
Celebrated In: Kollam, Kerala
Significance: Kottankulangara temple, Chavara
Held In: March/April
Main Ritual: Men Dressing up as Women as an offering to the deity
Significance: Kottankulangara temple, Chavara
Held In: March/April
Main Ritual: Men Dressing up as Women as an offering to the deity
Kottankulangara
Chamayavillanku is a unique festival, which is held at the Kottankulangara
temple in Chavara, near Kollam, where
hundreds of sturdy men dress up as comely females. This is an offering to
the goddess Bhagavathy, the deity of the temple.
In this unique ritual called 'Chamaya Vilakku' (make-up lamp), the
'Damsels' come to the temple at night in a long procession with lighted
lamps in their hands. The ritual occurs during March - April each year.
