The offering is made for the ful fillment of desire or as a thanks giving for a wish fullfilled. Some people ask for promotions, or a good job, or ask for a child and some to get married to their lover etc.

The temple is dedicated to Vana Durga - as incarnation of goddess Shakthi.The ritual is a unique offering done by straight men to the goddess. The temple festival also attracts large number of homo sexuals & trans genders.

Men of all ages , from the smallest infants to very old people come here for the Chamaya vilakku. Younger people also don modern dresses such as shirts & jeans. Some men can even be seen dressed in dance costume.

The last two days of the festival witness hundreds of men wearing sarees, churidars & skirts with heavy make up.They carry a lamp having five lights mounted on a long wooden rod.This traditional lamp is known as Chamaya vilakku or make up lamp.Some men dressed up in sarees come with the Thalis [ silver or aluminium plates] adorned with earthern lamps .

Chamaya vilaku is a unique festival , which is held at the Kottankulangara temple in Chavara, near Kollam. The ritual occurs during March - April every year.