1 The Aravan Cult The Living Traditions of Transgenders in Tamil Nadu, India S.Simon John 1 Q.Marak 2 Oral narratives, myths and epics play a vital role in folk religious practices. Mythical episodes are reenacted in the form of rituals. This paper discusses the myth of Aravan who was an important character in Mahabharata and is worshipped in certain regions. Aravan, the legendary son of Arjuna and Ulupi, the Naga Princess, was to be sacrificed on the 18th-day of Kurukshetra war in order to ensure the victory of the Pandavas. Before being sacrificed, Aravan obtained certain boons from Krishna. The ritual enactment of these boons forms the central theme of the 18-day annual festival in the temple of Aravan situated in Koovagam village, Tamil Nadu. Deriving from the myth, transgenders of the region play a major role in the worship of Aravan. This paper is an attempt to document and understand the living traditions of transgenders and their association with the cult of Aravan. 1 Associate Professor, Arunachal Institute of Tribal Studies, Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh, India. E Mail: simonjohn19@gmail.com 2 Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya, India.