These are not eunuchs, but real man dressed up in ladies wear for a day to offer their prayer to goddess.
Kottankulangara Chamayavilakku is an annual festival which is held at the Kottankulangara Sree Devi temple, Chavara near Kollam, Kerala.
The festival is attended by men and boys, irrespective of their faith who dress up as women to offer prayers to the goddess Bhagavathy.
The diety of temple,goddess Bhagavathy is believed as ‘Swayam Bhoo’ (self origin).
This unique festival is celebrated on 10th and 11th day of the Malayalam Meenam Maasam which falls on 24th and 25th of the year.
The festival is attended by whole family with gents draped in women’s attire.
Some wear half sari, set sari or even dance costume.
During night, these ‘damsels’ walk in procession, holding traditional lamps to the accompaniment of traditional orchestra.
The offering is made for the fulfillment of desires or as a thanksgiving for a fulfilled wish.
There are many stories associated with the festival. One such legend goes that, a group of cowherds used to dress up as girls and playfully offer remains of grated coconut with milk to an idol. Pleased by their devotion, the goddess appeared in form of an ordinary woman and blessed them.
-Smrutirekha
