Duryodhana, often seen as the villain in the Mahabharata, is also respected by some people in India.

In fact, there is a large temple dedicated to him in Jakhol, Uttarakhand, and smaller ones in Osla, Gangar, and Datmir. Though he is usually blamed for causing harm to the Pandavas and insulting Draupadi, some believe he also had good qualities.

In the Mahabharata, just before dying, Duryodhana tells Krishna that he lived as a true warrior (Kshatriya), ruled well, and died in battle—so he deserves heaven.

Flowers fall from the sky onto him, and the Pandavas feel ashamed. A story says that when Yudhishthira questions why Duryodhana went to heaven, Lord Indra tells him that Duryodhana already suffered in hell and was a good king too.

Some thinkers, like Swami Brahmavidananda, say Duryodhana's worship is based on folklore, not scripture.

Others, like writer Samhita Arni and mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik, believe he had both good and bad sides, like befriending Karna.

The Mahabharata shows that characters are complex, not just good or evil, making it a very human story.