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Koovagam Koothandavar Temple Aravan, son of Pandava prince Arjuna, is a minor character from the 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 a legendary hero who sacrifices 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 granted Aravan's boon by taking a female form, Mohini. The next day, Aravan sacrificed his life and Mohini grieved like a widow. #koovagam #koothandavar #templesofindia #transgender #tamilnadu
