The Poruvazhy Peruviruthy Malanada temple is one of the famous Temples in Kerala, popularly known as Peruviruthy Malanada, is a unique, must-visit temple, dedicated to the infamous Duryodhana, and is the only Duryodhana Temple in South India.
Poruvazhy Peruviruthy Malanada Duryodhana Temple
Poruvazhy Peruviruthy Malanada 'Sankalpa Moorthy' Duryodhana Temple
The name Malanada (മലനട) is a combination of two Malayalam words 'Mala' (മല) means Hill and 'Nada' (നട) means Temple. Unlike other temples, there is no deity/idol nor a sanctum or 'sreekovil' (à´¶്à´°ീà´•ോà´µിൽ) as such in Malanada. In the absence of an idol, devotees submit themselves to a divine power (of their imagination/understanding) through a mental process of ‘Sankalpam’. Thus, the idol which is only existed in the concept is known as 'Sankalpamurti', 'Sankalp Murti', or 'Sankalpa Moorthy'.
History of Malanada Duryodhana Temple:
It is believed that the ‘Sankalpa Moorthy‘ at Malanada is ‘Duryodhana’, the Great Epic Hero of Mahabharata. According to Malanada Temple website, "The myth unravels: as part of his efforts to trace out the ‘Pandavas’ in exile, Duryodhana traversed the forests in the south and reached Malanada hill. By that time he was much tired and went to a nearby house in the northwest of Malanada and asked for drinking water. It was Kaduthamsserry Kottaram, where Malanada Appoppan, the priest and ruler of the land was staying. An elderly woman gave him toddy which was customary at that time as a mark of respect. The king enjoyed the drink but realized after seeing the ‘Kurathali’ worn by the woman that she belonged to an untouchable lower cast by the name ‘Kurava’. The king consoled himself and appreciated the divinity of the place and its people who possessed supernatural powers (Siddha). Thereafter, in furtherance of his ‘Rajadharma’, the king sat on the hill and worshipped Lord Siva, praying for the welfare of his people (the prajas). As an act of charity, he gave away 100s of acres of agricultural land and paddy fields as freehold to the ‘Devasthanam’. Even now the land tax of the above property is being levied in the name of ‘Duryodhana’."
The king also ensured that Gandhari, the Royal Mother, Dussala, his sister, Karnan, his close associate, and ‘Angarajan’, Dronar, his ‘Guru’, and the other members of his family were properly and adequately aboded and worshipped in the nearby places, and poojas are performed here by the members from the ‘Kurava’ caste.
The Malanada Temple Festival:
The Malanada temple festival is famous for its spectacular Malanada Kettukazcha (a 70 to 80 ft. tall and exquisitely designed structure called Edupu Kala and Edupu Kuthira) event, which is conducted each year in March month. The festival is also known as 'Poruvizhi Peruviruthi Malanada Malakkuda Utsavam'. Large crowds gather to either carry the structures on their shoulders or see them placed on gigantic chariots, in a show revelry that matches just about any across God’s Own Country. Cultural programs run throughout the night, with Kathakali based on the story ‘Nizhalkuthu’ being among the highlights of the entire event.
Malanada Duryodhana Temple Festival
Eduppu Kuthira at Malanada Duryodhana Temple Festival
Location of the Temple:
Poruvazhy Peruviruthy Malanada temple, popularly known as Peruviruthy Malanada temple or Malanada temple is located at Edakkad Ward of Poruvazhy Village in Kunnathoor Taluk of Kollam District, Kerala State.
How to reach Malanada Temple:
Nearest railway station: Chengannur, about 30 km away from Malanada. Nearest airport: Trivandrum International Airport, about 92 km from Adoor
