Peruviruthy Malanada Temple
Poruvazhy Peruviruthy Malanada, popularly known as Peruviruthy Malanada or Malanada is the only Duryodhana Temple in South India. It is located at Edakkad Ward (Kara) of Poruvazhy village in Kunnathoor Taluk of Kollam district (Kerala State), India. This place is the northern border of Kollam district which Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts share the boundaries.
This temple is more than a 1000 year old and was under the guardianship of the Kuravar Caste (Shoodhra caste). The Kuravar caste were the wardens of the Malanad region during the time of Mahabharata.
Legend has it that the Kauravars (Duryodhana along with his brothers) came to Kerala in search of the Pandavas who were living in exile. During Duryodhana’s search in the jungles of Malanad, he became tired and went to the nearby Kaduthaserry Kottaram (Kaduthaserry Palace) and requested the lady of the palace for something to drink. The lady offered him a pot full of Toddy to drink. Duryodhana became quite happy with the gesture, went to a nearby hill and prayed to Adi Siva for the health, happiness and prosperity of the Malanadu people. During his stay with the kind folks of Malanadu, he also happened to learn the ancient Martial art form of Nizhalkkuthu (Shadow Kill). It is said that Duryodhana during the days of the Mahabharatha war visited Malanadu to seek the permission of the Malanadu elders for the use of Nizhalkuthu fighting form against the Pandavas. His request for use of Nizhalkkuthu in the war was denied by the elders of Malanadu. Duryodhana being an obedient disciple paid heed to the command of the elders and told them that he will come back after the war on the second Friday of the Meenam Month. He also told them that if they do not see him before sun set, then it must be understood that he had died in the war. He also requested them to do his last rites. The people of Malanadu to this day do the last rites before the start of the Annual Festival of the Temple.
Unlike other temples, there is no deity, nor a ‘Sreekovil’ as such in Malanada. The temple is open to people of all Race, Colour, Caste & Religion. Down the hill on the south and west we see vast low lying paddy fields and on the east and north inhabited agricultural land. In place of Sreekovil and deity we could see only a raised platform called ‘Althara’ or ‘Mandapam’. In the absence of an idol, devotees submit themselves to a divine power (of their imagination/understanding) through a mental process of ‘Sankalpam’. It is believed that the ‘Sankalpa Moorthy ‘at Malanada is ‘Duryodhanan’, the Great Epic character of Mahabharatham. The temple administration at Malanada is vested in a committee elected by members of 7 ‘Karas’, supposed having Malanada Appoopan’s territorial jurisdiction. Kunnathoor Taluk N S S Union and S N D P Union have their representatives in the committee by having 2 members each. ‘Kaduthamsserry Kudumbayogam among Kurava caste and ‘Kettungal Kudumabayogam’ among Ezhava caste enjoying special status in the administration of the temple. Ennassery Malanada Temple is a temple dedicated to Dushasana of the Kauravas. It is located in Sooranad North Grama Panchayat, Kunnathoor Taluk, Kollam District. Ennassery Malanada is the only Dushasana temple in South India.
Location
Edakkad
Main Deity
Duryodhana
Other Deities
Vallyappooppan, Menakkasseril Appooppan, Kizhakkebhagathu Appooppan, Muhurthy, Ummasserry Kavilamma, Poolisseriyil Ammoomma, Siddhan, Vallyathu Appooppan, Bhagavathy, Chempitta Siddhan, & Thampuran (Sidhan).
Festivals
The annual festival is held in the month of Meenam Month.
Main Offerings
Toddy, Betel Leaf, Arecanut, Hen, Bull, Goat, Tobacco, Unniappam, Muthukuda (Ornamental Umbrella), Udayasthamana Pooja, Valiya Ottavilakku.
How To Reach
By Air: Trivandrum International Airport is situated at 88.4 KM from the temple.
By Rail: Ochira Railway Station is 21.6 KM from the Temple.
By Road: Adoor KSRTC Bus Depot is 13.8 KM from the Temple.