A non-resident Indian in Kerala has presented 101 Old Monk Rum bottles as offering at a temple in Kerala. 

Offering arrack is a ritual in Poruvazhy Peruviruthy Malanada Duryodhana temple at Edakkad in Kollam.However, when arrack was banned a few years ago in Kerala, then the believers started to offer liquor. 

The legend associated with the temple is that Duryodhana once came to this village and he was thirsty. He sought some water from a house and was given toddy and he was extremely pleased.

Quoting temple secretary S B Jagadeesh, Times of India reported that it was usual to give foreign liquor as offering to the deity, though such a huge quantity is a rarity. “Earlier, arrack used to be offered. After its ban, toddy and foreign liquor were allowed. Pan, chicken, goat, silk cloth etc… are other major offerings,” he said, adding that an NRI from Kollam had placed the offering.

Jagadeesh said people from all religions pray here. “Fishermen will carry the flag of temple in their mast. They believe Appoppan (as the deity is called respectfully) will save them from trouble,” he said.

Malanada temple has many specialties. “The temple lacks a sanctum sanctorum. Instead there is only a raised platform, which is open 24 hours. We have committee members from all castes and election is conducted within each community to select their representative,” Jagadeesh said.

Fireworks display too was part of the temple festival until 1990, when a major fireworks tragedy killed 26 people. “After that tragedy, the festival became a simple affair,” he said.

Not just Malanada, Parassinikadavu Muthappan temple in Kannur used to offer foreign liquor, but now the offering has been restricted to toddy over the past five years.

Unlike other temples which follow sattvic brahminical tradition, deities such as Muthappan and Duryodhana have tamasic qualities.