While eulogies have been written about the Pandavas MahabharataDue to their actions on the battlefield, the Kauravas have not received such praise for centuries. Most hated is the Kaurava prince Duryodhana, whose history is associated with conflict and rivalry. But do you know that there is a temple in India which is completely dedicated to him? It is located in Kerala, and is the only one of its kind in the country.

Duryodhana’s temple

Legend has it that when Duryodhana was traveling in search of the Pandavas and was in desperate need of water, a lower caste woman welcomed him and offered him toddy, a traditional palm wine. Impressed by their generosity, he blessed their village with land, which now stands as the famous Peruviruthi Malanada Temple (or Duryodhana Malanada Temple) on a hilltop in the Kollam district of Kerala.

In the temple, Duryodhana is represented not by a statue but by a polished mace, his favorite weapon. Despite his controversial role in the Mahabharata, where he conspired to insult Draupadi, locals consider him a philanthropist and fondly call him Appupa (Grandfather). Here, he is worshiped as the god of protection and goodwill and is offered toddy, a local liquor.

Interestingly, unlike most Indian temples, which are tax-exempt, the Duryodhana Temple pays taxes on its 15-acre property in Poruvazhi village!

Also read: Temple Trails: A journey through India’s most beautiful temples

But reverence for the Kauravas does not stop here. Within a radius of 50 kilometres, several temples honor Duryodhana’s 99 siblings, his loyal friend Karna, his cunning uncle Shakuni and even his sister Dushala. The local community, known as Kuruvas, consider the Kauravas as their ancestors and perpetuate their legacy through these temples. The most visited among them is the Duryodhana Malanada Temple.

According to local people, Duryodhana left the area on Friday, promising to return the next Friday. When he did not do so, the villagers cremated him, believing that his spirit had returned to bless the land. Hence Friday remains an important day of worship here, in which devotees come to pay respect to the Kaurava prince, who is a symbol of pride in this small village.

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