Sushmajee
Vrat-Festivals | Temples
Temples | |
Mahaabhaarat |
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There is a Shakuni Temple in Mahaaraashtra, just as there are Raavan Temples, Duryodhan Temples, Karn Temples and also Shalya worship. Shakuni's Temple, Kolaam, Kerala
A throne believed to have been used by Shakuni is found in this ancient Temple. There are no usual Poojaa or Taantrik rituals at the Temple. Offerings to the Temple include tender coconut, silk, toddy etc. The Temple is maintained by the Kaurav community of the region. Expressbuzz writes about this unique Temple - It is perhaps the only one of its kind in the country. An artistic granite throne inside this ancient temple, is considered as the sacred seat of Shakuni. The legend of the Temple goes like this. During the Mahaabhaarat battle, Shakuni traveled across the country along with his nephews, the Kaurav. When they reached the place where the Temple is situated, the Kaurav divided their weapons among them. Since then, the place came to be known as ‘Pakuteshwaram’, which later became Pavitreshwaram. Shakuni returned to this place after the battle and attained ‘Moksh’ with the blessings of Lord Shiv and became Lord Shakuni. The Up-Devtaa (sub-deities) of the Temple include Bhuvaneshwaree Devee, Kiraat Moorti and Naagaraaj. The festival of the Temple, popularly known as Malakkuda Maholsavam, is observed in the Makaram month in the Malayaalam calendar. My Note
Duryodhan's Temple (Malanada Temple), Kollam, Kerala Duryodhan, the eldest of the Kaurav brothers and the main villain of the Mahaabhaarat, is worshipped in certain Temples in India. Temples exclusively dedicated to Duryodhan are very rare, the reason being his evil deeds against the Paandav. Legend has it that Duryodhan who was searching for the Paandav during their exile got lost in the dense jungle here. A weary and tired Duryodhan was picked up by people of the Kaurav community and they provided him food and shelter. In return, Duryodhan is believed to have helped the community. My Note The Temple festival starts on the first Friday of the Month of Meenam (around March 15). The War is enacted symbolically during the Temple festival. At midnight on the second Friday (around March 22) the funeral rites of Duryodhan are performed by the priest of the Temple and four of his assistants on a stone platform, where Duryodhan sat and worshipped Shiv. With this the festival concludes on a sad note. This platform is worshipped here. Today we see a trident (symbol of Shiv) kept vertical on the sacred platform. Duryodhan is worshipped as ‘Malayappooppan’ and there is no idol for the deity. Rituals and customs followed here are Dravidian in nature and the chief priest of the Temple is from the Kurav community. The temple also has small shrines dedicated to other important characters in the Mahaabhaarat who were allies to Duryodhan during the 18-day war. The subsidiary shrines are dedicated to Bheeshm, Drone, Karn, Shakuni and Dushalaa. One of the most important offering to the deity is toddy – local liquor [I think because the woman gave him Toddy to drink]. Other offerings include betel nut, rooster, arrack and red cloth. The Malakkuda festival held in March is the main festival at the Temple. It is one of the famous festivals in Kollam District and is noted for its Kettukazhcha procession. One can take the Temple's virtual tour on the above site. Two of the most famous temples dedicated to Duryodhan are located in Uttaraakhand. Temple of Hidimbaa
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Created by Sushma Gupta on 3/15/05
Contact: sushmajee@yahoo.com
Updated on
09/30/13