![Ochira kala](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/09/Ochira_kala.jpg)
Oachira or Ochira (') is an ancient temple town located 32 km away from
Kollam city in
Karunagappally taluk,
Kollam district
Kollam district (), (formerly Quilon district) is one of 14 districts of the state of Kerala, India. The district has a cross-section of Kerala's natural attributes; it is endowed with a long coastline, a major Laccadive Sea seaport and an i ...
in
Kerala
Kerala ( ; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile regions of Cochin, Malabar, South Ca ...
, India.
Temple town
Oachira is one of the famous sacred places of
Kerala
Kerala ( ; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile regions of Cochin, Malabar, South Ca ...
and in India. Oachira is on the border of
Kollam
Kollam (), also known by its former name Quilon , is an ancient seaport and city on the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea, which is a part of the Arabian Sea. It is north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. The city ...
and
Allappuzha
Alappuzha or Alleppey () is the administrative headquarters of Alappuzha district in state of Kerala, India. The Backwaters of Alappuzha are one of the most popular tourist attractions in India which attracts millions of domestic and internat ...
Districts, next to the National Highway 66 (
NH 66
National Highway 66, commonly referred to as NH 66 (erstwhile NH-17 and a part of NH-47), is a mostly 4 lane long busy National Highway that runs roughly north–south along the western coast of India, parallel to the Western Ghats. It con ...
). It is a very ancient pilgrimage center that is centered on the
ParaBrahma Temple (that is dedicated to the
Para Brahman (or Param Brahman) or ''Ohmkaram'', the Universal
Consciousness
Consciousness, at its simplest, is sentience and awareness of internal and external existence. However, the lack of definitions has led to millennia of analyses, explanations and debates by philosophers, theologians, linguisticians, and scien ...
), which covers thirty-six acres of land. Oachira North Muslim Masjid is another historical monument near Oachira town.
Festivals
The major annual festivals are ''Oachira Kali'' or ''
Oachirakali'' (held on the first and second of Midhunam, i.e., June–July) and the twelve-day Panthrandu Vilakku (twelve lamp festival), which is held in November/December. Oachira Kali is celebrated in commemoration of the battle of Kayamkulam, fought between
Marthanda Varma
Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma (Malayalam: ) was the founding monarch of the southern Indian Kingdom of Travancore (previously Venadu) from 1729 until his death in 1758. He was succeeded by Rama Varma ("Dharma Raja") (1758–98).Subrahman ...
, the Maharaja of
Travancore
The Kingdom of Travancore ( /ˈtrævənkɔːr/), also known as the Kingdom of Thiruvithamkoor, was an Indian kingdom from c. 1729 until 1949. It was ruled by the Travancore Royal Family from Padmanabhapuram, and later Thiruvananthapuram. A ...
and the Raja of
Kayamkulam, on the plains of Oachira. It is a mock fight enacted between groups of men dressed as warriors on the ''padanilam'' (battlefield). They perform a martial dance standing in knee-deep water, brandishing
sword
A sword is an edged, bladed weapon intended for manual cutting or thrusting. Its blade, longer than a knife or dagger, is attached to a hilt and can be straight or curved. A thrusting sword tends to have a straighter blade with a pointed ti ...
s and
shield
A shield is a piece of personal armour held in the hand, which may or may not be strapped to the wrist or forearm. Shields are used to intercept specific attacks, whether from close-ranged weaponry or projectiles such as arrows, by means of ...
s, and splashing water in every direction. A big cattle fair is also held as part of the festival.
Yet another festival celebrated in
Oachira Temple is the "Irupathiyettam Onam" (Thiruvonum in the month of Kanni, second month of
Malayalam Calendar
The Malayalam Calendar is a sidereal solar calendar used in Kerala. The origin of the calendar has been dated to 825 CE, the beginning of the Kollam Era.
There are many theories regarding the origin of the era, but according to recent schola ...
). It is considered the
Onam
Onam ( ) is an annual Indian harvest festival celebrated predominantly by the Hindus of Kerala. A major annual event for Keralites, it is the official festival of the state and includes a spectrum of cultural events.
Onam commemorates Vamana ...
of cows and bulls and is celebrated on
Thiruvonam
Thiruvonam is a Taluk town in Thanjavur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu
Geography
Thiruvonam is located at . It has an average elevation of 36 metres (120 feet).
Demographics
A small town located south of Thanjavur, has po ...
. These concepts are related to the agricultural prosperity of Onattukara.
Panthrandu vilakku (12 Lamps) festival
The "Panthrandu vilakku" festival celebrated at Oachira Parabrahma Temple is considered as the most reputed festivals of this temple. In the month of Vrishchikam, or Vrishchika Masam, is the fourth month in a traditional Malayalam calendar and is a highly auspicious month.Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple opens on the day for the two-month-long annual pilgrimage season.
The first twelve days are celebrated as "Panthrantu vilakku"."Panthrandu vilakku" is being observed in temples with great fervour and enthusiasm to commemorate the ‘Ten Avatars of Lord Vishnu’
The Panthrandu vilakku celebrated at Oachira Parabrahma Temple is considered as the most reputed one
At Ochira Para brahma temple, during "Panthrantu vilakku" pilgrims reside in hundreds of small huts for twelve days in the premises of temple following religious rituals. Thousands of people stays near a temple premises for a period of twelve days .This tradition is one of its kind in Kerala .Lakhs of people visit the temple during this period. There are various religious programs and meetings are being conducted during this period. Days are filled with speeches of Eminent scholars, religious leaders and political leaders. In the night cultural programmes of veteran artists are conducted. For pilgrims these days will be truly rejuvenating experience.
There is no sanctorum in
Oachira Temple. The statues of the deities are placed below large banyan trees; the ''Prasadam'' is holy mud from the temple, which supposedly has medicinal value.
The temple has a rich tradition of religious harmony, which is open to people of all religion and faith. The main offering of the temple is 'Annadanam'-offering food to the poor.
Accommodation
The temple administration manages two guest houses. Recently built guest house 'Omkaram' has 102 rooms with all modern amenities to cater to the needs of pilgrims.
Celebrities
Cartoonist Shankar
Kesava Shankar Pillai (31 July 1902 – 26 December 1989), better known as Shankar, was an Indian cartoonist. He is considered the father of political cartooning in India. He founded ''Shankar's Weekly'', India's ''Punch'' in 1948. ''Shankar's ...
hails from near Oachira. The government of Kerala paid a tribute to him, in the form of a museum near his birthplace Oachira.
Kerala Lalithakala Akademi
Kerala Lalithakala Academy for Fine Arts is an autonomous body which was established in 1962 to promote art and artistic heritage, based at Thrissur in Kerala. Murali Cheeroth is the newly appointed chairman of Kerala Lalitha Kala Akademi on 2022 ...
was behind the ambitious project, which costs an estimated initial cost of Rs. 3. 5 crore which spreads over 15,000 sq.ft. of land.
Access
To reach Oachira, by air, the nearest airports are
Trivandrum International Airport
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport , is an international airport which serves Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, India. Established in 1932, it is the first airport in the state of Kerala and fifth international airport of In ...
, which is 98 km away, and Cochin International Airport, which is 135 km away. By rail, the nearest station is
Ochira railway station
Ochira railway station (code: OCR) is an 'NSG 6 category' railway station, situated near the city of Kollam in Kollam district of Kerala. Ochira railway station is situated at the borders of Kollam district. It falls under the Thiruvananthapu ...
, just 1.5 km from town and
Kayamkulam Junction is just 7 km away, all major express trains having stop here and It is also near
NH 66
National Highway 66, commonly referred to as NH 66 (erstwhile NH-17 and a part of NH-47), is a mostly 4 lane long busy National Highway that runs roughly north–south along the western coast of India, parallel to the Western Ghats. It con ...
. Oachira is the gateway to
Matha Amruthananda Mayi Devi Asramam (HQ) at Vallikkavu, which is just 3 km away.
Education
RVSM Higher Secondary School, situated at Prayar is the oldest and biggest educational institution in and around Oachira. Started in 1909, this school was elevated as a higher secondary school and boasts a lower primary division too. Students gaining entry at the LKG can complete their pre-university exams (now known as +2) and attend the graduation courses of universities. Oachira Govt. Higher Secondary School is another educational institution. Pragathi Hindi Vidyalay is another Hindi college in the region.
Places near Oachira
*
Oachira Parabrahma Temple
*
Azheekal Beach
*
Krishnapuram Palace
The Krishnapuram Palace is a palace and museum located in Kayamkulam near Alappuzha in Alappuzha district, Kerala in southwestern India. It was built in the 18th century by Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma (1729–1758 CE), the Travancore ki ...
Notable people
*
Cartoonist Shankar
Kesava Shankar Pillai (31 July 1902 – 26 December 1989), better known as Shankar, was an Indian cartoonist. He is considered the father of political cartooning in India. He founded ''Shankar's Weekly'', India's ''Punch'' in 1948. ''Shankar's ...
, political cartoonist
*
K. P. Nambiathiri, photographer
*
K. Surendran, Malayalam writer and Vayalaar Award winner
*
S. Guptan Nair
S. Guptan Nair (1919 – 2006) was an Indian scholar, academic, critic and writer of Malayalam literature. Known for his literary works as well as for his oratorical skills, Nair was a prolific writer with over 35 books to his credit. He was a d ...
, Malayalam writer, literary critic, scholar, orator, essayist, lexicographer, translator and educator
*
S. Ramachandran Pillai
S. Ramachandran Pillai (born 7 February 1938) is a communist politician from Kerala, India, Politburo member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). He was the former General Secretary of All India Kisan Sabha (Peasants Union) and Currentl ...
, C.P.I. (M) politburo member
*
Prayar Gopalakrishnan
Prayar Gopalakrishnan (20 September 1949 – 4 June 2022) was an Indian National Congress politician from Kollam, India. He was the president of Travancore Devaswom Board. He was an MLA of Kerala and a member of KPCC. Prayar began his politic ...
, Ex MLA, Former President of Travancore
Devaswom Board
Devaswom ( sa, dēvasvaṁ;
) are socio-religious trusts in India, whose members are nominated by the government and community. They oversee Hindu temples and their assets to ensure their smooth operation in accordance with traditional rituals and ...
*
R. Gopakumar, visual artist, India's first major digital art collector
*
Geetha Salam
Abdul Salam (9 October 1946 – 19 December 2018) was an Indian actor in Malayalam cinema known by his stage name Geetha Salam, known for ''Malabar Wedding'', '' Jalolsavam'' (2004) and ''Mylanchi Monchulla Veedu'' (2014). He lived in Krishnapu ...
, Malayalam film actor
References
External links
{{Kollam district
Cities and towns in Kollam district