Hinduism is a religion of mysteries, beliefs and faiths. Hindus have a blind faith on the spiritual powers. We worship Gods, Goddesses because they are known for carrying good values, divine enlightenment and have the power to bless humans with the right virtue. But have you ever heard of people worshipping an idol of evilness. Yes, there are some temples where the villain in the Mahabharata Epic is worshipped. I am telling about the elder brother of the Kauravas, Duryodhana. He was the main culprit for the devastating Kurukshetra war. Duryohana’s crave for Kingdom killed thousands of people in the war of Kurukshetra. He fought a war on the pillar of deception and fraud against Pandavas. But still in India, there are two temples where Duryodhana is worshiped like a God.    

A temple where Duryodhana is worshipped is known as Malanada Duryodhana Temple which is located in Kollam District in Kerala. This is the only temple in South India which is dedicated to the anti-hero of Mahabharata epic. Duryodhana is worshipped as ‘Malayappooppan’ but the temple has no idol but only a platform. The temple also has Karna, Dushala, Shakuni, Drona and Bheeshma as deities. The story behind this temple is very interesting , it is said that once Duryodhana went in pursuit of Pandavas after they escaped from wax Palace (lakshaya grah), when he was tired, the tribes of Kuruvas here served food and water to him. To this day, the priest at this temple hails from the Kurva Community.

The main attraction of the temple which is famous in Kerala is the annual festival which is a one day-long event celebrated with the zest of a variety of folk arts. In the evenings, the spectacular Kettukazhcha procession with bull motif (Kala), horse motif (Khuthira) and a decorated temple cart is held. By around sunset Kettukazhcha one by one moves up to the Malanada temple. A ritual offering in the temple is Toddy which is an alcoholic beverage made from the coconut palm. The temple is situated about 27 km away from Alumkadavu, a village famous for houseboat making.

Another temple of Kauravas is considered to be the biggest temple in the State of Uttarakhand which is dedicated to Duryodhana. People of Mori Village consider him God and they believe that all their problems will e sorted by worshipping him. Mori’s local villagers claim that they are the ascendants of the Pandavas and Kauravas. But they worship Kauravas as God. This temple is situated in Jakhol near Mori, Uttarakhand. According to the folk story, there is a Tons river known as river Tamas, is formed by the tears of the local people who wept over the defeat of Kauravas and the death of Duryodhana in the great war of Mahabharata.  According to the local people, the tear still flows and hence, the river water is never used for drinking. The temple is also constructed but the local folks. 

Duryodhana Temple is 13 km from Sankri. Duryodhana is worshipped in the upper valleys of the rivers Tons, Yamuna, Bhagirathi, Balganga and Bhilganga. This is a nice temple to visit having a variety of customs and of course for the deity also. Nearest airport is Jollygrant which is 175 km away from Mori and is situated in Dehradun.