Renowned Indian-American chef and humanitarian Vikas Khanna is paying a deeply personal and cultural tribute to India’s transgender community through his NYC restaurant Bungalow. On May 8th, the restaurant will transform into a space of reverence and celebration to mark the culmination of the Koovagam Festival, an ancient and spiritually significant event held annually in Tamil Nadu.
Celebrating an Ancient Tradition at Bungalow
To commemorate the final day of the 18-day Koovagam Festival, Khanna’s restaurant will be adorned with vibrant rangolis made from marigolds, roses, and vermillion. Guests will be treated to specially created petit fours inspired by Panchamritam-a sacred mixture of milk, curd, ghee, honey, and banana, traditionally served as prasadam in Hindu rituals.
“This is more than food. It’s ritual. It’s color. It’s sweetness. It’s a tribute to identity, tradition, and diversity,” Khanna expressed in his social media post, along with photographs he personally captured during the festival.
The Spiritual Legacy of Koovagam
The Koovagam Festival, held in the small village of Koovagam in Tamil Nadu, is one of the largest gatherings of transgender women-locally known as Aravanis-anywhere in the world. The event centers around the Koothandavar Temple, where participants symbolically marry the deity Aravan, a lesser-known character from the Mahabharata. According to the epic, Aravan agreed to sacrifice his life for the Pandavas, but wished to be married before dying. In a divine act, Lord Krishna assumed the form of Mohini, a female avatar, and fulfilled Aravan’s wish.
This symbolic marriage has become a powerful celebration of gender fluidity, love, sacrifice, and acceptance, making the Koovagam Festival not only a religious event but also a beacon of LGBTQ+ visibility and cultural pride.
A personal journey and a literary tribute
Khanna, who has visited Koovagam multiple times over the years, revealed that his experiences there inspired him to include a dedicated chapter in his book UTSAV, which celebrates the richness of Indian festivals. “During my three visits to Koovagam, I truly came to understand the depth and power of India’s diversity,” he wrote.
All the photos shared in his tribute post were taken by him during these visits and will feature in UTSAV as part of his ongoing effort to spotlight often overlooked communities within Indian culture.
Khanna continues to use his platform to amplify marginalised voices. His tribute to the transgender community reflects a broader vision of inclusivity, respect for tradition, and honoring human stories-one that goes far beyond the kitchen.
