Poruvazhi Peruviruthi Malanada Temple in Kollam district is dedicated to Duryodhana. The temple has no sanctum sanctorum or enclosure and all the believers irrespective of caste and religion are free to worship by considering the altar (mandapam) as an idol of worship. Duryodhana, the Kaurava chief in the Mahabharata, is the main idol. Duryodhana, in the concept of “Appooppan” (Grandfather), resides on a hilltop that is beautiful with natural beauty in the middle of vast paddy fields to the west and south and agricultural lands to the east and north. People of different castes and religions come from many parts of the country to see the ‘malanada appooppan’ , who can achieve anything for those who call upon him for all sorrows.
Legend behind the temple
There is a legend behind Duryodhana becoming the idol of this temple. During the exile of the Pandavas, the Kauravas went in search of them and reached the malanada hills. Thirsty after traveling, Duryodhana reached the Kattamassery palace northwest of the malanada hills and asked for water. A woman cut a pitcher and gave him toddy to drink. He happily drank it.When the woman turned around, she saw the bald spot on her neck and realized that she belonged to a kurava caste.Later, he sat on this mountain and meditated on Lord Shiva for the people of this place. When the Mahabharata war was raging, Duryodhana sought the permission of the local people and went to war.
At the time of his departure, he addressed the people as follows-“I will return victorious in battle on the second Friday of the month of Mīna. All preparations should be made from the first Friday of the month of Mīna to receive me on that day. If you do not see me by midnight on the second Friday of the month of Mīna, you should consider me dead in battle and perform last rites for me.”
In memory of this, the residents of Malanada make preparations to welcome Duryodhana with big parades and ceremonial gunfire on the first Friday of the month of Mīna and eight days of celebrations.
Rituals At Duryodana temple
‘Pallipana’ is a Duodecennial event Performed In the Malanada temple in order to achieve prosperity for the land, the devotees and the deity .It occurred last in February 2023 .This event is held in twelve days.
Apart from Bhadradeepapratishta, Panayadi and Kappukettu ceremonies, Pallipana includes special rituals such as Parayoth, Muroth, Idupanabali, Peethabali, Ninabali,Kidangubali, Panchabhutabali, Tattubali, Kuzhibalikkooda, Pattatabali, Sarpabali, ,Aazhibali,Koombubali, Navabali AshtaishwarapujaAtaweeswarapuja etc
The Urali of Kattamassery ,a family from Kurava community, has been performing rituals according to Dravidian rituals for centuries. The umbrella carried by Urali during the Malakuda festival is considered as a symbol of power. Devotees offer agricultural crops to the Deity .
Toddy as the offering
Toddy is served as the main offering to the deity at Duryodhana temple.The priest at this temple hails from the Kurava tribal community. The Poruvazhy Peruviruthy Malanada Temple can be regarded As a sacred place where all the evils of marginalization and Stigmatization are whipped off spreading vibes of unity and Integrity to the people as well as the deity. Just like Duryodhan who treated the untouchable people as his most Loved disciples, the people loved and respected him for his Noble and divine qualities ignoring all his evils. There are Small temples dedicated to Karna, Dronacharya, Dushala, Bhishmaetc around the main temple. There is even a temple Dedicated to the most notorious character of Mahabharata, Shakuni, who is believed to be the person behind the war. The Kuravas believe that Shakuni attained moksha or salvation From Lord Shiva at this place and according to them Shakunibecame a Villain only sue to his circumstances. This Region merges both the good and evil in man and put forward The lesson how there is a presence of the divine even in the Most villainous of characters.
Amarnath K. P. hails from Kannur, in Kerala. He has completed Masters in history from sree Sankaracharya university of Sanskrit, kalady kerala(2020-2022)and also completed PG diploma archaeology from centre for heritage studies. He has worked on excavation at Megalithic burial site (rock cut chambers)excavation at Cheemeni, Kerala & Harappan site excavation – padtabut, Kachchh district, Gujarat.
Dr Janki Thaker