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Annual Transgender festival @ Sri Koothandavar Temple, Kovaagam, Viluppuram, Tamilnadu, May 2014.
The story behind this festival inspired me to travel to Kovaagam and witness the event
A short gist of the story:
The festival has its root from Mahabaratha war, where in order to stop the war it was required to to sacrifice a man filled with all the good qualities of Valor, strength to the goddess of war, Kali. It was "Aravaan (son of Arjuna) who took up this to get sacrificed. To satisfy his last wish, Lord Krishna transformed himself as Mohini and married Aravaan. On 18th day, Aravaan sacrificed his life and so as the war also ended. Aravaan,during his final moments on earth, he sees Krishna, as Mohini, beating her breasts and wailing, the very picture of a widowed woman grieving her husband.
On behalf of the CWC, CECOM Chief of Staff Col. William Montgomery and APG Community Women's Club Scholarship Committee Chair Amy Lueders presented $1,000 college scholarships to high school seniors Rosser (attending George Washington University) and Tiffany Strong (attending Dickinson College); $500 scholarships were presented to Samantha Carrick (school undetermined), Christopher Hoppe (Towson University), Elizabeth Muller (Salisbury University) and Ashley Hoppe who will use the funds to continue their education. Scholarships were awarded based on merit, academic and other achievements, community involvement, leadership, and original essay. The CWC raises money for local charities and hosts activities, including Bunco, luncheons, book clubs, dinners, local trips and more. Membership is open to anyone with an affiliation with APG—military, civilian, contractor or spouse. Learn more by visiting www.apgcwc.org.