Temple for Duryodhana in malanada , Kerala

Temple for Duryodhana in malanada , Kerala

Compiled by

P.R.Ramachander

The temple of Duryodhana(  the only temple in South india)   is located  in Peruviruthy Malanada or Malanada This place The is located equidistant from Adoor(M C Road) on the Northeast and Sasthamcottah on the Southeast. It is also reachable from Kayamkulam and Karunagappally on the N H 47 and Kottarakkara (via Puthoor or Enathu) on the M C road (approximately 25 KMs. From each centre)

    Duryodhana is not represented by an idol here, It is a mandapam(stage below an Althara(the  bottom of a banyan tree)  and devotees  mentally worship the  spiritual power   which is located there .People believe  that the power there is the power of Duryodhana(the eldest of the Kauravas)   who was killed by Bhima in  Mahabharatha   war. It seems when Pandavas were  in Ajatha Vasa  Duryodhana came to this place in search of them.(  a temple for him  is there  in OSla   in Garhwal, where  again he reached  searching for Pandavas)   By the time he reached Malanada  he was greatly tired  .” and went to a nearby house on the north west 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 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 ‘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 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.”

     IN this there is an important festival called  Malakkuda.meaning umbrella  of the mountains.   It is celebrated every year in the   second half of the   month of march. The arrival of the festival is proclaimed by "Kodiyettu" (the temple flag hoisting ceremony by Oorali after due observance) on the first Friday of Meenam. Presently, although there is festivity for 8 days from Kodiyettu to Malakkuda, there is no change in the rituals connected therewith.

On the festival day afternoon Oorali accompanied by his aids visits "Gurukkalssery Bhagavathy Temple" and invites Devi to Malanada. Bhagavathy arrives 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 a pageantry. It is the most splendid 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 jurisdiction) in the vast stretch of the dry paddy fields surrounded by thousands of spectators viewing from far and near in the descending sun, renders a panoramic view. This is the essence of the festival. Oorali after having an overall view of the scene from his designated spot, visits and blesses each and every such display item. By around sunset the "Kettukazhcha" one by one moves up the Malanada hill, rounds the temple 3 times and thereafter returns or parks on the hill for the night. There will be cultural programmes during night. Kathakali based on the story "Nizhalkuthu" is customary. Poruvazhy Peruviruthy Malanada Devaswom very proudly keeps under lock & key a Gold Flag(Swarnakkodi). It is the status symbol 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.

Then a ritual called  Pallipana  is performed once in 12 years.  There is a story behind this . It is believed 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 inflicted 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 believed as a ritual capable of eliminating the evil spirits afflicting a deity and its land and people. At Malanada this ritual is performed without fail once in 12 years. It is believed that this observance elates the divine power of ‘Malanada Appooppan’ and makes the people of the seven ‘Karas’ rich and prosperous.

About 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’ performed are Kappukettu, Idupanabali, Kuzhibali, Pattadabali, Ninabali, Panchabhoothabali, Aazhibali, Kidangubali, Marukubali, Peed’abali, Dikbali, and Koombubali.

   There are several small temples   attached to this temple

1.Kadujthamassery  Kottaram-  Valiya appoppan is the  spiritual force here

2.Kizhakke Bagathu  Appoppan kshetram.  .This Appoppan is the nephew of Malanada Appoppan

3.Menaka ssery kottaram  .Is the place of Menakassery Appoppan    who first ruled over Malanada ,It is believed 101   Swaroopangal(forms)    are living there

4.THekke purathu kshethram .It seems one Pandi Nattan THampuran lived here  and jhewas an expert in treating   stomach disorders.Devotees with this problems come here.

5,Vadakkepurathu Kshethram .Here it seems one Thampuran specialised in treating eye problems used to live. People with eye  problems come here.

6.Chempitta kottaram(Palace with copper roof) . The moorthy is a Sidha specialised  in treating mental disorders

7.Guru kalaserriyil kottaram  - Martial arts    used  to be taught here.

8.Vallyathu  kottaram the administrator of the temple  is the sankalpa moorthy here

9.Puliserriyil kottaram  . Pooliseriyil Ammomma   used to live here .It is considered as a  prayer home for fertility

10, Manankaravila  kshethram  . Here  the SAnkalpa murthy is a tamilian Sidh doing meditation

11.Muthuruthy Kavu  .Two days in a year   the murthy is worshipped

12. Kettungal devi temple   This is a temple  of Gddess  Durga

13.Ummasery Kavu . Ummaserry Kavilamma is the sankalpa murthy

14.Deva Kunnu mala .Here pooja is done by Pulaya community. It is believed that  Duryodhana   came here  first.From there he saw light in Malanada hill and went there

Interesting facts

1.There is a temple built  in Puliyur by BHeema  and so the people of that village are banned   from visiting this temple.

2.Two   groups of people from Sakuni temple at Pavithreswaram   called OOralis and  Piniyalis hava a special role in the Malakkuda festival here. It is believed that before Mahabharatha war the Kauravas  came here   and divided their weapons.

https://www.malanada.com/malakkuda