Duryodhana Temple

Overview

Poruvazhy Peruviruthy Malanada, popularly known as Peruviruthy Malanada or Malanada is the lone temple devoted to the Gaurava Prince in South India. It is located at Edakkad Ward (Kara) of Poruvazhy village in Kunnathoor Taluk of Kollam district (Kerala State), India. This place forms the northern border of the district of Kollam which forms the common boundary of districts of Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha.

About the Temple

The word Malanada exactly implies ‘Temple on a Hill’ and true to its name, Malanada is located on a small hill. The hill provides a good view of the surroundings. The area in the Southern and Western direction is surrounded by green fields of paddy and towards the North and East, is again surrounded by agricultural land. Unlike in other temples, there is neither idol nor Sreekovil (inner sanctum where the idol is situated) in Malanada. Instead it has a raised platform called ‘Althara’ or ‘Mandapam’. The devotees pray to a divine power (of their imagination/understanding) through a mental process of Sankalpam, in the absence of an idol.

It is a common belief amongst the devotees that the Sankalpa Moorthy at Malanada is ‘Duryodhanan’, the Great Epic Hero of Mahabharatham. The belief is unique since the Kaurava King known for his Thamoguna’driven thoughts and actions, being revered as the main deity in a temple. Duryodhana is revered by the native folks as Malayappoppan. There are sub-shrines devoted to the Gandhari, Duryodhana’s mother and his near relatives such as Bheeshma, Drona, Karna and Sakuni.

The temple management at Malanada is entrusted to a board of elected members of 7 ‘Karas’, who have Malanada Appoopan’s territorial authority. Kunnathoor Taluk N S S Union and S N D P Union have 2 members each as their representatives in the committee. ‘Kaduthamsserry Kudumbayogam among Kurava caste and ‘Kettungal Kudumabayogam’ among Ezhava caste enjoy special status in the management of the temple.

Legend and Stories

According to the legends, while the Pandavas were in banishment, Duryodhanan combed the southern forests in search of them to end their agnyatavasa and came upon the Malanada hills. He became very tired at the end of the search and went to a close by household on the north west of Malanada and asked for drinking water. It was Kaduthamsserry Kottaram, the dwelling of Malanada Appoppan, the priest and ruler of the land. An aged woman gave him toddy for refreshment, which was a practice at that time, as a mark of respect. The king relished the drink, but comprehended after seeing the ‘Kurathali’ worn by the woman that she belonged to an untouchable lower cast by name ‘Kurava’. The king reassured himself and respected the holiness of the place and its people who had supernatural powers (Siddha). Thereafter, in continuance of his ‘Rajadharma’, the king took a seat on the hill and prayed to Lord Siva, for the wellbeing of his people (the prajas). He gave away 100s of acres of farming land and paddy fields as property to the ‘Devasthanam’. Even to this day the land tax of the gifted property is being levied in the name of ‘Duryodhanan’.

The king also made sure that Gandhari, the Royal Mother, Dussala, his sister, Karna, his close friend and ‘Angarajan’, Dronar, his ‘Guru’ and the other members of his family were suitably aboded and worshipped in the vicinity. Till date members of the ‘Kurava’ caste are poojaris in all such places.

Fairs and Festivals

Malakkuda Festival

The yearly commemoration at Malanada is known as ‘Malakkuda’(Mala means hill – the temple and Kuda, umbrella – an decorative one used by Oorali, the priest, during ritualistic events.). It is celebrated during the summer, during the second half of March every year - a break, when the native farming undertakings are over and before starting paddy cultivation in the wet land (paddy fields). The second Friday of the Malayalam month ‘Meenam’ is the time for celebrating ‘Malakkuda’( Meenam starts in the middle of March and ends in the middle of April). The start of the festival is announced by ‘Kodiyettu’ (the temple flag hoisting ceremony by Oorali after due adherence) on the first Friday of Meenam. Currently, although there is celebration for 8 days from Kodiyettu to Malakkuda, there is no change in the ceremonials associated therewith.

During the 2nd half of the festival day, “Oorali” along with his assistances visits ‘Gurukkalssery Bhagavathy Temple’ and invites the Devi to Malanada. Bhagavathy arrives at Malanada in a procession and occupies her reserved seat (Mandapam in front of Malanada Temple). Thereafter Oorali goes to his abode at Kaduthamsserry Kottaram and gets ready with ‘Kachakettu’(wearing his priestly attire) with the help of his aidis, viz. ‘Thalikkaran’, ‘Kalassakkaran’ and ‘Naluveedar’. The team led by Oorali first worships at Malanada and thereafter proceed to ‘Muravukandam’ via ‘Adaipad’ to witness and bless the most spectacular and colourful event of the day known as the ‘Kettukazhcha’.

Kettukazhcha is pageantry. It is the most marvellous part of the Maha Malakkuda Maholsavam. It involves a spectacular display of craftsmanship in the form of ‘Edupu kala’ and ‘Edupu kuthira’. The orderly display of hundreds of such pieces, big and small, either as offering by believers for favours received or to be received or as customary by the 7 ‘Karakal’ (7 divisions of Malanada Appooppan’s territorial authority) in the huge segment of the dry paddy fields surrounded by thousands of onlookers observing from far and near in the sinking sun, renders a panoramic sight. This is the spirit of the festival. Oorali afterwards having an overall view of the scene from his chosen spot, visits and blesses each and every such display item. In the evening the ‘Kettukazhcha’ one after the other moves up the Malanada hill, goes round the temple 3 times and return to the hill for the night. There will be ethnic programmes during night. “Kathakali” based on the story ‘Nizhalkuthu’ is customary.

Pallipaana

It is understood that Lord Mahavishnu with the help of Lord Subramanian found that he was afflicted by ‘Asura Dosha’. People belonging to ‘Velan’ community are the right ones to perform the corrective rituals to get rid of the ‘Dosha’ which was wreaked by practicing witchcraft against the Lord. ‘Velan’ community could not be found anywhere in the three worlds. At last Shri Parameswaran, who knows everything, appeared as ‘Velan’, Shri Parvathy as ‘Velathy’, Shri Mahaganapathy and Shri Subramanian as ‘Bhoothaganangal’. They came over to Palazhy and performed the ‘Mahakarma’ which is known as ‘Pallippana’ and relieved Bhagavan of his evil afflictions. It was the first ‘Pallippana’ ever heard in the history of mankind.

‘Pallippana’ is thus understood as a ceremony capable of removing the evil spirits afflicting a deity and its land and individuals. At Malanada this religious activity is executed once in 12 years without fail. It is believed that this adherence lifts the divine power of ‘Malanada Appooppan’ and makes the people of the seven ‘Karas’ rich and affluent.

Around 50 members of the ‘Velan’ Community as performers and an equal number of “Purangadi’ community members as antiperformers take part in this function. It lasts for 11 days to complete 18 ‘Mahathkarmangal’. The conduct of the function is very costly. The main ‘Karmas’ accomplished are Kidangubali, Marukubali, Peed’abali, Dikbali, Kappukettu, Idupanabali, Kuzhibali, Pattadabali, Ninabali, Panchabhoothabali, Aazhibali, and Koombubali.

Prasad and Offerings

The contributions at the temple are toddy, arrack and chicken. Initially there had been a practice of offering 101 para of toddy, 101 para of arrack and 101 chicken. This however, has been forbidden. Another unique offering is food grains and other locally obtainable food articles. Devotees who offer liquor to the deity take the rest of the offering as `prasadam’. But now, aravana, appam and bhasmam are also being given as prasadam.

Interesting Facts

Poruvazhy Peruviruthy Malanada Devaswom takea great pride in keeping under lock and key a Gold Flag(Swarnakkodi). It is the illustrious icon of Malanada Appooppan, the symbol of power and authority. It is the privilege of the Mannan – The Ruler, The King to own such a flag! Made in pure gold, it is a precious show piece of excellent workmanship. Public ‘Darshan’ of Swarnakkodi is permitted only on auspicious days like ‘Kodiyettu Day’, ‘Malakkuda Maholsavam Day’, etc. It is believed that the ‘Darshan’ of the Swarnakkodi brings home goodness and prosperity.

How to Reach Malanada Temple / Duryodhana Temple

Airport

The closest airport is Trivandrum International Airport, about 91 km.

Railways

The closest railway station is at Karunagappally (17 Km).

Road

The temple is reachable by road from Kundara in Kollam. One has to reach Bharanikkavu and Chakkupally and the temple is just 2 km away. The temple is located equidistant from Adoor (M C Road) on the Northeast and Sasthamcottah on the Southeast. It is also accessible from Kayamkulam and Karunagappally on the N H 47 and Kottarakkara (via Puthoor or Enathu) on the M C road (approximately 25 km away from either point).

Temple Address

Poruvazhy Peruviruthy Malanada Temple / Duryodhana Temple,
Poruvazhy, Edakkad P.O, Kadampanad Via,
Kollam District, Kerala, India – 691552.