Elegance Thy Name Woman?

Grace, beauty, femininity and poise are all adjectives to describe the prettiest looking gender on earth….really?

Festooned in elegant sarees, bedecked in jewellery, with a hint of modest make up, walk the elegant beauties to worship  Devi Bhagavathy at the Kottankulangara Sree Devi Temple, Chavara near Kollam in Kerala for the Chamaya vilaku Festival.

 Hey wait!! I forgot to mention, these elegant beauties are actually men dressed as women in sarees, half-sarees and the traditional Kerala Sarees to offer their adoration to the Devi. No, don’t get your mind rolling; they are not transgenders, eunuchs, or even gays. Then are regular straight men with a regular life  and family but  only dressed up as ladies on the particular day to appease the goddess with lamps for votive offerings. “ChamayaVilaku” ensues mostly in the end of March ie 10th and 11th night of Meenam(a Keralite month).

The devotees are of varied age- from little boys to old men; they are not only dressed sophisticatedly as women but also titivate themselves with heavy make-up in order to look perfect for the occassion.

There are various theories attached to the historical significance of this festival. One of them imply that centuries ago, young boys dressed as little girls playfully offered food and water to a stone. The goddess  appeared through the stone and blessed the little boys for their kindness and devotion. Consequently, a temple was built around the stone for the goddess. Over a period of years, it has been allegedly noticed that there has been a significant change in the size of the stone and apparently Kottankulangara Sree Devi Temple  is the only temple in Kerala without a roof at the sanctum sanctorum.

Chamaya Vilakku over a period of years has also sprouted various business opportunities to many. There are stalls outside the temple where you can hire dresses for a day or two. Professional make-up artists have also set up make up stalls to ensure that the appearance and beauty of the male devotee reflects that of a woman . Considering the purported increase in the number of devotees every year, the stall-keepers have huge opportunities to make money every year.

The devotion has witnessed an increased growth every year without pause with endless prayers and votive offferings. In the present era, where people trust science to beliefs and medicines to prayers, it’s indeed fascinating to witness a huge procession of men filled with high hopes and devotion for the Bhagavathy. “ My little boy was initially averse to this whole idea of dressing up as a girl; but after  a huge amount of convincing and coaxing,  he entered the temple and worshipped the Devi, and sensed the transcended energy of the Devi and felt absolutely  fine about dressing up as a woman” said Prita Pilllai, a senior college lecturer in Kerala.

At a stage and era where advancement is directly proportional to technology subsequently with the eradication of myths and beliefs, we still have a huge percent of populace who cling on to primitive ideologies that they believe exists.  We remember god when we are overwhelmed with emotions and do our best to appease him…we pray for rains, we pray for happiness, we pray for food, we pray for courage, we pray for good when we know very well that everything is science- be it food, water, psychology; and yet many of us still need God for confidence and courage.  

I sure am fascinated by this supposed energy which grows and extends the love in its devotees towards itself………. and this love and devotion has only increased with time……

Reference: http://www.chamayavilakku.in/festival.html