Koovagam: India's Annual Koothandavar Festival

Every year, thousands of transgender women from across India travel to the village of Koovagam in Tamil Nadu to take part in the annual Koothandavar Festival. The festival is rooted in the story of Aravaan from the Mahabharata and is one of the most significant religious and cultural gatherings for the transgender community in India.

During the festival, participants symbolically marry Lord Aravaan, reenacting the legend of Lord Krishna, who assumed the form of Mohini to marry Aravaan before his sacrifice. The following day, the celebrations give way to mourning as bangles are broken and wedding symbols are removed, marking the ritual remembrance of Aravaan's death.

I photographed the festival to document not only its rituals but also the people who gather here each year. Beyond the ceremonies, Koovagam is a place of faith, community, identity, and belonging. These photographs capture moments of celebration, devotion, emotion, and everyday life throughout the festival.