Aravan,son of Pandava prince Arjuna,is a minor character from the Hindu epic of Mahabharata. He is also a patron god of well-known transgender communities called thirunangai (also Aravani in South India, and Hijra throughout South Asia). The Mahabharata portrays Aravan as legendary hero who sacrifice his life in the 18-day Kurukshetra War (Mahabharata war). However, the South Indian cults have a supplementary tradition of honouring Aravan's self-sacrifice to the goddess Kali for the victory of the Pandavas in the war. The Koothandavar festival focuses on one of the three boons granted to Aravan by the god Krishna in honour of his self-sacrifice. Aravan wanted to get married before his death. Krishna satisfied aravan's boon by taking a female form, Mohini.The Next Day, Aravan sacrificed his life and Mohini grieved like a widow.
The transgender devotees come each year to reenact the story of Aravan. In a symbolic ritual, the participants take on the role of Mohini and are married to Aravan by the temple priest. The next day they cut their “ mangal suthra “ and mourn Aravan's death by participating in ritualistic dances and breaking their bangles.
Not only transgenders bachelors and families from nearby villages also visited the temple to tie a ‘Mangal suthra ’ and offer prayers for the fulfillment of their wishes.
In addition to the religious ceremony, the participants compete in beauty pageants and singing contests etc.