Hundreds of men visited shrines in south India dressed as women in a unique festival on March 24th.

Chamayavilakku is a unique annual festival that is celebrated at the Kottankulangara Sree Devi Temple in Chavara near Kollam in Kerala. This is an annual Hindu festival in Kerala, India in which thousands of men dress as women.

On the festival day, thousand of devotees visit the temple to seek the blessings of the Hindu goddess Bhagavathy. Men from across the state dress up wearing sarees, shimmering trinkets, jasmine garlands, and elaborate make-up.

The famed cross-dressing ritual starts in the evening and continues till dawn on the final two days of the 19-day long festival.

The festival has also turned out to be the largest congregation of the transgender community in Kerala as it offers them a space to celebrate their identity.

Chamayavilakku is a unique annual festival that is celebrated at the Kottankulangara Sree Devi Temple in Chavara near Kollam in Kerala. This is an annual Hindu festival in Kerala, India in which thousands of men dress as women. The festival takes place at the Kottankulangara Devi Temple which is sacred to the goddess Bhagavathy.

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 saari, Pattu saari, half saari or even dance costumes.Men from across the State doll up as damsels wearing sarees, shimmering trinkets, jasmine garlands, and elaborate make-up take part in this unique ritual.

The famed Chamayavilakku ritual that starts in the evening and continues till dawn takes place on the final two days of the 19-day long festival. A giant caparisoned tusker carrying the Thidambu (idol of deity) can be seen throughout the night. The festival has also turned out to be the largest congregation of the transgender community in Kerala as it offers them a space to celebrate their identity.