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STORIES · THE MAHĀBHĀRATA · Kerala · regional retelling
The Duryodhana temple at Malanada (Kerala)
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A temple to the villain, with a toddy offering and no idol.
At Poruvazhy near Kollam, local legend says Duryodhana, searching for the exiled Pandavas, asked an old woman of the Kurava community for water. She offered toddy, he honored her and the place, worshipped Shiva on the hill, and endowed hundreds of acres; land tax is still levied in his name. There is no idol, only an open platform; the Malakkuda festival (Meenam) features towering Kettukazhcha effigies. Kurava priests also serve shrines of Gandhari, Dushala, Karna and Drona.
Who: Duryodhana, Gandhari, Karna, Dushala
Places: Poruvazhy, Kollam, Kerala