Koovagam Festival

The village of Koovagam is next to Ulundurpet taluk in Villupuram district. The Koothandavar temple is situated in this village. This is the only temple for eunuchs, and their family deity is the Koothandavar.

A fifteen day Chitrai festival based on Mahabaratha is celebrated every year in grand style. According to the Mahabaratha, Rajakumaran, a eunuch was born to Arjuna and Naga Kannigai. The Pandavas, decided to sacrifice a human to ensure victory in the war and Rajakumaran was the sacrificial 'goat'. His last wish was to get married.

No one came forward to marry Rajakumaran. Lord Krishna appeared as a female and married him. The next day he was killed. To signify this, the marriage is held the previous night and breaking of the 'thali' the next morning is done every year as a ritual.

Along with this Chitrai festival, the Tamil Nadu Association for eunuchs and the Aids prevention and control wing of Voluntary Health Services, conducted a 'Miss Koovagam' contest on April 23rd.

Ranjitha from Bangalore was selected as 'Miss Koovagam'. Madhumita from Erode and Vadivu from Thiruchengode were the first and second runners-up. A total of 34 people participated in it.

On 22nd April, an interactive discussion that was well attended was conducted in Villupuram. The participants expressed anguish that they are not part of the mainstream society and they are looked down upon by others.

The climax of the festival is the marriage (s) celebrated by song and dance. The chariot festival was on 24th. At the end of this was the 'sacrifice'. Those who accepted the deceased as their husband, cut their 'thalis', broke the bangles and stared wailing in grief.

Though most who had gathered felt bad about the way society treats them, for no fault of theirs, there was a participant who was different, " I deem it fortunate that only we can become the wife of God"

Actuly hijadas is part of indian culture?