Koovagam

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Koovagam is a village in the Ulundurpet taluk in Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu. It is famous for its annual festival of hijras and homosexuals, which takes fifteen days in the Tamil month of Chitrai (April/may).

The festival takes place at the Koothandavar Temple. The hijras marry the Lord Koothandavar, thus reenacting an ancient myth of Lord Vishnu/Krishna who married him after taking a form of a woman called Mohini. The next day, hijras mourn the god Koothandavar's death through ritualistic dances and by breaking their bangles. An annual beauty peageant and several other competitions like singing contests are held.

Basic rights of hijras and healthcare are discussed in seminares too.

Hijras from different places travel to this festival. A lot of men, who do not identify as hijras or even homosexuals gather there to have sex with the hijras during the festival.