The Kottankulangara Festival or Chamayavilakku is an annual Hindu festival in Kerala, India in which thousands of male devotees dress-up as females and celebrate the festival.[1]
| Kottankulangara Chamayavilakku | |
|---|---|
 Men dressed up as women during 2017 Kottankulangara Chamayavilakku festival | |
| Official name | കൊറ്റൻകുളങ്ങര ചമയവിളക്ക് |
| Observed by | Malayalees |
| Type | Hindu festival |
| Significance | Men dress-up as women to seek the blessings of Bhagavathi |
| Begins | 10th of Meenam |
| Ends | 11th of Meenam |
| Frequency | Annual |
The festival takes place at the Kottankulangara Devi temple at Kollam, which is sacred to the goddess Bhagavathy.[2] Every year, this festival is celebrated on the 10th and 11th day of the Malayalam month Meenam which falls on the 24th and 25th of the year.[1]
On the festival day, thousand of devotees visit the temple to seek the blessings of the goddess Bhagavathy. The men dress up in the female attire of their choice. Some wear set sari, pattu sari, half sari or even dance costumes.[3]
