A look at India’s only Duryodhana Temple in Kerala

If you remember reading the Indian epic, the Mahabharata, you would know that Duryodhana was a character with grey shades. Though he is one of the most hated characters from the epic, he was also deemed to be a brilliant, kind and courageous human being. The eldest of the 100 brothers, Kauravas, Duryodhana plays the prime villain in the epic. Now, you must be thinking why would there be a temple dedicated to such a man?

About the Poruvazhy Peruviruthy Malanada Temple
Poruvazhy Peruviruthy Malanada Temple, also known as Peruviruthy Malanada or Malanada is the only temple in India dedicated to Duryodhana. Set inside the Poruvazhy Village in Kollam district, Kerala, this temple is symbolic of the goodness of a negatively portrayed character. Despite being a jealous brother and mistreating his sister-in-law Draupadi, Duryodhana still had some admirable qualities.

The legend

Legend has it that Duryodhana went searching for the Pandavas when they were in exile. During his search in the southern forests of Kerala, he reached this place. He was extremely thirsty and asked for some water. An old lady, belonging from a low caste, offered him toddy (sweet coconut water) which Duryodhana drank without any hesitation.

Looking at his royal attire, the old lady figured out that he is some king and was touched by the fact that a man of such respect drank the water served by an untouchable woman from a Kurava caste. But Duryodhana was the one who never believed in the caste system.
In fact, he was quite touched by her hospitality. To show his gratitude, he sat there on a hill and prayed to Lord Shiva for the well-being of the people living in the village. Not only this, he also gave agricultural land to villagers.

Later, the villagers got Poruvazhy Peruviruthy Malanada Temple built on the same spot where he meditated. Interestingly, the temple also pays property tax every year in the name of Duryodhana, which only shows villagers' love and respect for him. In fact, the temple’s priest till date comes from the Kurava community.

A temple without an idol

Quite interestingly, this temple does not have any idols like other Hindu temples. If you go inside, you’ll just find a raised platform that is called Mandapam or Althara, where devotees pray and meditate. Devotees can also stand on the stone mandapam and pray.