As the Koovagam Festival in Tamil Nadu nears its last three days, the spiritual and emotional heart of the event comes to life. It is rooted in the legend of Aravan from the Mahabharata, who agreed to be sacrificed for the Pandavas' victory after marrying once. The festival honours his memory in ways that hold deep meaning for India’s transgender community. On the third-to-last day, thousands of transgender participants gather at the Koothandavar Temple, dressed in bridal attire, to take part in a symbolic marriage to Lord Aravan. Priests tie thaalis, or sacred marriage threads, and for a moment, joy and ritual significance flourish in a society that often overlooks them. The next day, the atmosphere changes significantly. As Aravan’s ritual death is re-enacted, participants enter a period of widowhood. They mourn together by removing thaalis, breaking bangles, and dressing in white. Their grief becomes a public show of defiance and solidarity. The final day wraps up with a ritual bath in the temple tank, representing spiritual cleansing and rebirth. These three days go beyond myth and mourning. They affirm dignity, community, and resistance. Koovagam is more than a festival; it is a sacred space where marginalised identities are acknowledged, honoured, and celebrated with pride.