Villupuram, India. 18th April, 2016. Miss Koovagam 2016 Transgender Beauty Contest, Villupuram, Tamil Nadu, India Credit: FO Travel/Alamy Live News
The Koovagam festival is a re-enactment of a Mahabharata legend about Aravaan, a son of Arjuna born out of wedlock. Legend has it that Aravaan agrees to be sacrificed to Goddess Kali, in order to win the war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas. His only wish was to be married and consummate his marriage before his death. However, considering that no woman wanted to marry a man who was sentenced to die, Lord Krishna then took the form of a woman, Mohini, and marries Aravaan. The next day, Aravaan is offered in sacrifice to Goddess Kali who then devours him. Transgender people who come to Koovagam re-enact Aravaan’s single-day marriage. The first 16 days are spent in celebration, with songs, dance, and modern-day additions such as a beauty contest.
Size: 4912px × 7360px
Location: Villupuram, Tamil Nadu, India
Photo credit: © François-Olivier Dommergues / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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