Karaga festival is held on Chaitrashuddha Pournami. The origin of this is, after the Mahabharata war, Draupadi created a band of "Veerakumaras" to defeat the demon Timirasura. When Draupadi, with the Pandavas, after their earthly sojourn were ascending to heaven, the Veerakumaras requested Draupadi to stay back. She assured them that she will come back annually on Karaga day. The Dharmarayaswami temple priest, dons female attire & impersonates Draupadi & is accompanied by Veerakumaras with swords.
Ngaio Marsh wrote a novel called "Death of a Fool" (USA) or "Off with his head" (UK) where on winter solstice, in a fictional Mardian Castle, "Dance of the five sons" was ritually performed. Apart from the five sons, brandishing swords, there was also the father, Guiser, a Hobby Horse "Crack", & most significantly a "Betty", a man wearing a wide crinoline skirt & impersonating a woman!
What a similarity between esoteric customs in parts of India & U.K.!
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