What to expect
Koothandavar Temple, Koovagam
The temple is dedicated to Koothandavar (Aravan), son of Arjuna and the Naga princess Ulupi, who sacrificed himself to help the Pandavas win the Kurukshetra war. It hosts one of India's largest annual gatherings of transgender (Aravani) people, held over about fifteen days in the Tamil month of Chithirai. In the central ritual, participants become symbolic brides of Aravan and, after the deity's ceremonial death, mourn as widows by breaking their bangles. Koovagam lies roughly 15 km from Ulundurpet.
Practical guide
Plan Koothandavar Temple, Koovagam
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Before you go to Koothandavar Temple, Koovagam
Entry rules not verified for this temple. Some Hindu temples admit only Hindus, and most enforce a dress code at the door. We have not verified the rule for this particular temple, so please check before you travel — especially if you are not Hindu or are visiting from outside India.
We report each site's own published rules neutrally, and only where we can source them.
Typetemple
Nearest baseKoovagam
DistrictKallakurichi
Best timeOctober to March is the cooler, drier…
Time neededAbout an hour
EntryFree
Koothandavar Temple, Koovagam is planned from Koovagam, one of the travel bases in Kallakurichi district. Use Koovagam for stays, food and local transport, then plan this place as a focused stop.
Getting there
How to visit
- Base yourself in Koovagam or nearby in Kallakurichi, then confirm the last-mile route locally before travel.
- If access depends on temple, museum or seasonal rules, check on the day before you go.
Timing
Best time
October to March is the cooler, drier season in the Cauvery delta.
Weather in Koothandavar Temple, KoovagamSeasonal guide
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Today at Koothandavar Temple, Koovagam
Sunrise6:02 am
Sunset6:24 pm
Golden hour best light5:24 pm–6:24 pm
Blue hour after sunset6:24 pm–6:49 pm
Sun sets toward compass bearingW · 279°
Moon tonight🌖 Waning gibbous · 83%
South-west monsoon. June to September is the south-west monsoon in Tamil Nadu. Expect heavy showers, mostly in bursts rather than all day — carry rain cover, allow extra time for getting around, and note that ferries and open-air sites are the first things affected.
Sun and moon are calculated for this location and shown in IST. Photography windows are the hour around sunrise and sunset; the sunset bearing is degrees clockwise from true north. Moon phase is accurate to about half a day.
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Koothandavar Temple, Koovagam — at a glance
TimingsDaily approx 6 AM-12 PM and 4-8:30 PM
Best timeChithirai (April-May) for the festival; October-February for a quieter visit
Entry: Free
Getting here
How to reach Koothandavar Temple, Koovagam
About 15 km from Ulundurpet; nearest railhead Villupuram Junction (~40 km); nearest airport Tiruchirappalli (TRZ) ~90 km or Chennai (MAA) ~230 km.
Getting around Koothandavar Temple, Koovagam
We have not assessed physical access at this place yet. Across India, step-free routes, handrails and accessible toilets are the exception rather than the rule, and pavements are often interrupted — if step-free access matters to you, contact the site or a local operator before committing to the trip.
If you need help at Koothandavar Temple, Koovagam
112All emergencies (police · fire · medical)The single number to call in any emergency (ERSS).100Police101Fire108Ambulance (emergency / EMS)1091Women’s helpline (distress)1098Child helpline1363Tourist helpline (India, 24×7, multilingual)
Emergency numbers are verified against official government and state tourism sources. 112 works anywhere in India.
Nearby
What’s near Koothandavar Temple, Koovagam
templeUlagalantha Perumal Temple (Trivikrama), Thirukovilur 19.9 km · ~33 min by cab · straight line
On the map
Where Koothandavar Temple, Koovagam is
Good to know
Koothandavar Temple, Koovagam — frequently asked
When is the best time to visit Koothandavar Temple, Koovagam?
October to March is the cooler, drier season in the Cauvery delta.
What are the entry fee and timings at Koothandavar Temple, Koovagam?
Entry: Free. Timings: Daily approx 6 AM-12 PM and 4-8:30 PM.
How do I reach Koothandavar Temple, Koovagam?
Base yourself in Koovagam or nearby in Kallakurichi, then confirm the last-mile route locally before travel. If access depends on temple, museum or seasonal rules, check on the day before you go.
How much time do I need for Koothandavar Temple, Koovagam?
About an hour.
What else is near Koothandavar Temple, Koovagam?
Nearby you can pair Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy Temple, Parikkal (6.3 km), Thirunarungondai Jain Caves (Appandainathar) (7.0 km), Ulagalantha Perumal Temple (Trivikrama), Thirukovilur (19.9 km), Atulya Nadheswarar Temple, Arakandanallur (20.3 km).
Read before you go
Koothandavar Temple, Koovagam guides, stories & itineraries
We have not published a story about Koothandavar Temple, Koovagam itself yet. These cover Koovagam, the town it sits in, and the wider district.
Tamil Nadu-wide guides & itineraries
Route-level itineraries and practical guides for the rest of Tamil Nadu.
Image credits
- Koothandavar Temple, Koovagam:D Neethidoss, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0