Koovagam

Koovagam is a village in the Ulundurpettai taluk in Kallakurichi district, Tamil Nadu. It is located 25 kilometres (16 mi) from Viluppuram and 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from Ulundurpet. Koovagam is well known for its annual festival of transgender individuals, which takes place over fifteen days in the Tamil month of Chitrai (April/May).

The festival is held at the Koothandavar Temple, dedicated to Iravan (Koothandavar). The participants marry the Lord Koothandavar, in a reenactment of the mythological marriage of Koothandavar and Lord Vishnu/Krishna, who had taken the form of a woman called Mohini. The next day, the participants mourn the god Koothandavar's death through ritualistic dances and by breaking their bangles. The festival also includes a beauty pageant and other competitions, as well as discussions of transgender rights. People attend this festival from all over India.