Poruvazhy Peruviruthy Malanada, popularly known as Peruviruthy Malanada or Malanda is the only Duryodhana Temple in South India. It is located at Edakkad Ward of Poruvazhy village in Kunnathoor Taluk of Kollam district,India.
Shrine’s History
Malanda – There is a Temple on the Hill . Unlike other temples, there is no deity, nor a Sreekovil as such in Malanda. Down the hill on the south and west we see vast low-lying paddy fields and on the east and north habitated 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 through a mental process of Sankalpam. It is believed that the Sankalpa Moorthy at Malanda is Duryodhanan, the Great Epic Hero of Mahabharatham. The concept is unique in Indian history in as much as Duryodhanan, the Kaurava King known for his Thamoguna driven thoughts and actions, being adored as the principal deity in a temple. Enduring beliefs assimilate into the personal value system.
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 to the north-west of Malanda 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 realised after seeing the Kurathali worn by the woman that she belonged to an untouchable lower cast by 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 .
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 Duryodhanan. 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 members of the Kurava caste are poojaris in all such places. The temple administration at Malanada is vested in a committee elected by members of 7 Karas, supposed having Malanada Appoopans 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.
Legends Associated with This Shrine
According to the legends, while the Pandavas were in exile, Duryodhana searched the southern forests for them and reached the hills. He was tired and asked for water from nearby Kaduthamsserry Kottaram, where Malanada Appoppan, the priest and ruler of the land was staying. An aged lady offered Duryodhana toddy as a mark of respect. He drank the toddy. The attire and ornaments of the lady told the King that the woman belonged to untouchable Kurava caste. However, Duryodhana, as a sign of gratitude for helping him, ignores it. He sat on the hill and worshipped Lord Shiva. Duryodhana gave away 100s of acres of agricultural land and paddy fields as freehold to the ‘Devasthanam’ as an act of charity. Even at present, the land tax is being levied in the name of ‘Duryodhana’.
Architectural Relevance of This Shrine
There is no temple at the site. Just an open platform where there is no idol either. It is just open nature. However, there is a stone mandapam for the devotees to stand and worship. The Kadumathassery Kottaram is a traditional Kerala house, which is a tiled-structure made according to traditional Kerala architecture, featuring tiled and slanting roof on wooden beams.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
The nearest bus stop Kollam
By Rail
The Nearest railway station: Karunagappally about 17 km
By Air
The Nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport about 91 km
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
Malakkuda Festival Time
Extra Information About this Shrine
Nearby temple Amanakara Sree Bharatha Temple Kottarakkara Sree Mahaganapathy Kshethram
