Kottankulangara Temple, Chavara

Kottankulangara Temple, Chavara

Kottankulangara Temple, Chavara, Kollam District,  Chamayavilakku - A rare ritual of men dressed up like damsels Often strange and colourful rituals are performed during the festivals of Kerala. One such is the Kottankulangara Chamayavilakku, a unique festival at the Kottankulangara temple in Chavara (Kollam district), where hundreds of sturdy men make an offering dressed up as comely females. This offering is to the goddess Bhagavathy, the deity of the temple. The ritual called Chamayavilakku ( chamayam = makeup and vilakku = lamp) is conducted at night when these "damsels" come to the temple in a long procession with lighted lamps in their hands.

Getting there:

Nearest railway station: Kollam about 13 km

Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 71 km from Kollam town.