In this Kerala festival, men dress up as women to celebrate a unique ritual

The Devi Temple in Kottamkulakara in Kollam district in Kerala has a tradition called the Chamayavilakku festival.

This festival is celebrated by men who are dressed as women. The above picture is that of the man who won the first prize for the make up In the contest. #festival pic.twitter.com/ow6lAREahD

— Ananth Rupanagudi (@Ananth_IRAS) March 27, 2023

According to the Kerala Tourism website, the festival is called Kottankulangara Chamayavilakku – a carnival of lights – and it is celebrated on the 10th and 11th of the Malayalam month of Meenam, the second half of March.

In the festival, processions are taken out with men dressed as women holding lamps in their hands. Men from across the state dress in sarees, wear jewellery and makeup and take part in this unique ritual. The men dressed as women hold the divine Chamayavilakku (traditional lamp) and walk around the temple as a symbol of their devotion to the presiding deity and get their wishes fulfilled, according to the Kerala Tourism website.

The festival has also turned out to be the largest congregation of the transgender community in Kerala as it offers them a space to celebrate their identity, it said.

Posted Monday, Rupanagudi’s tweet has received more than 2,800 likes and surprised many netizens. A Twitter user wrote, “I’d have never guessed. I wonder how he looks otherwise.” “It’s unbelievable at first, but as I read more it seems true and old tradition followed. Observed every year around 25th March at a temple near Kollam, Kerela. There is so much to know and be amazed,” commented another.

Another netizen shared a video from the festival.

Here is a video that’s getting viral from this unique tradition pic.twitter.com/3qKHA7ggzk

— Arvind (@tweet_arvi) March 27, 2023

“What a diverse and beautiful country we have. And no one could say this pic of a man if not written. Beautiful humans,” shared another user.