Eunuchs’ festival in Tamil Nadu

Eunuchs dress up during the annual eunuch festival in Koovagam, in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday.
Eunuchs from all over India gather in this village to re-enact a story adopted from Mahabharata, in which they symbolically marry Aravan, believed to be the patron god of transgender communities. (AP)

A eunuch looks at holy strings displayed at a temple premise during the annual eunuch festival in Koovagam. (AP)

Eunuchs show their holy strings after the marriage ceremony during the annual eunuch festival. (AP)

A eunuch crawls beneath a barricade to jump a queue of worshipers at a temple. (AP)

Eunuchs dress up during the annual eunuch festival in Koovagam. (AP)

A temple priest ties a holy string around the neck of a eunuch as a ritual signifying marriage to warrior-god Aravan in Koovagam. (AP)