Oachira Temple

Overview

The Oachira Temple is an located in Oachira, Kollam, Kerala. It is a famous sacred place.

About The Temple

The temple is unique. It does not have covered structures for temples. The temple Architecture style is Kerala Architecture style of layout. There is no sanctorum in the temple. The 50 feet high twin gopuram (tower) in front of the complex is carved with many ancient sculptures. These Gopurams, East Nada, West Nada, Theerthakkulam (sacred pond), Ondikkavu, Ayyappa Temple, Mahalakshmi Temple and Ganapathi temple are the points of worship at Oachira temple. Another interesting feature of the temple is connected with its offerings. Bulls are considered to be sacred in this temple and believed to be the vehicle of Parabrahmam.

Legend and Stories

Some believe that the place’s name came from the word Omkarachira. Some believe that the name originated from the name Oymanchira. According to mythology, the name comes from Uvachanchira as Uvachan means Lord Siva. Param Brahmam is the mythical God of Ochira temple and obviously the name of the place is interpreted by the spiritual people based on the extreme power.The interpretation: ‘Om’ is the representation of Parambrahmam the god of all gods. The word ‘Chira’ means piece of land. These two words combined together ‘Om Chira’ meant the ‘land of Param brahmam’. Om chira became Ochira during the course of time. The Truth cause of this name is that there was a large reservoir at the center of the large ground called Padanilam. This chira was used by the soldiers in olden days for bathing and for supplying water to the horses used in the war exercises. The legend behind the Ochira Temple is described in the famous Malayalam classic "The Aithihyamala". Aithihyamala is a collection of the Kerala folklore. In Aithihyamala, there is a mention of a mythical character named "Akavoor Chathan" he was the servant of a Kerala Namboodiri. Chathan oberved that his master was constantly praying to a God named "Para Brahmam" and Chathan got curious what kind of a God it is. His master, who wanted to make fun of the the Chathan's ignorance told him that the Para Brahmam is in the form of a Bull. Chathan took this very seriously and started worshipping the Bull standing in thier stable. Later, Para Brahmam was so pleased in Chathan's innocence and sincerity, indeed came in front of him in the form of a Bull. It is believed that at the place where Bull came in front of Chathan is today's Ochira temple.

Festivals

When it time of June month, "Ochirakali" is celebrated and "Panthrandu Vilakku" (12 lamps) festival is celebrated for 12 days in the month November - December. This festival is worth watching with agricultural trade fairs and cultural performances.

Ochirakkali is a mock fight enacted between groups of men dressed as warriors in the Padanilam. Martial performances are displayed between different groups from different 'Kara's(Regions) standing in knee-deep water, brandishing swords and shields,and splashing water every direction. Vrischikotsavam or 'Panthrandu Villakku' is a 12 day carnival held from Malayalam calender month Vrichikam 1 to 12 (fall in November). The devotees even from faraway places come and stay in the Padanilam in small huts called 'Kudil' irrespective of their social status, creating a one and only world of "human being". Erupethettam onam is celebrated every year in ochia on the 28 th day of the Onam festival with procession generally known as "Kaala kettu". Normally the day falls in September or October.Erupethettam onam is a procession of these Ochirakkala dummies made and brought to the Padanilam by different groups of people from all the sides of Ochira.

Prasad and Offering

Unlike the other temple, the offerings made in Ochira temple are very different. The most unique ones are the "Kayyum Kaalum", "Anna Danam", "Bhajanam Parkkal", Ettukandam Urilicha, Vedi Vazhipadu and "Uru Nercha". All these are based and related to the hindu and budhist myths and beliefs.

Kayyum Kaalum

In both the Nadas, thes idols of hand and leg are provided as offering. These are offered for body healing of sick people.

Annadanam

This is the most important offering in Ochira which is also supporting the social cause. Devotees can donate for this purpose. Annadanam is managed by the temple administration for the past 60 years. Poor and the helpless are fed daily with the fund collected from the Annadanam offerings.

Bhajanam Paarkkal

This is another unique feature of Ochira temple offered as part of the famous 12 day Vrichikotsavam. Devotees come and stay in the padanilam in specially made huts. Those devotees who sacrifice these 12 long days with the minimum facilities makes a big difference. When they comes to this, there is no relegion, cast or other dividing factors - but only one Parabrahmam - the real truth.

Ettukandam Urilicha

This is a spectacular seen for any one new to Ochira. It is a Procession held around two Aal tharas with decorated bulls and Nadaswaram and can be offered by any devotees.

Vedi Vazhipadu

Dedicated firework with sound,this can be offered in the three locations within the temple premises.

Uru Nercha

This is another unique ways in which devotees can make offering. Devotees bring in calf and donate to the temple and pray for healings.

Ochirakkaala (Bull)- the VIP of Ochira

Ochirakkaala (Sacred Bull) is an icon of Ochira. The first thought about Ochira is symbolized by this animal which is a beautiful sight in the Padanilam. Well decorated bulls are considered to be sacred in this temple and is believed to be the vehicle for Parabrahmam. Devotees can make donations to the bulls in both the Nadas. Also devotees can donate calves to the temple as an offering. Ettukandam Urilicha(Procession accompanied by the bulls and Nadaswaram), another offering in this temple is a wonderful sight to the pilgrims.

Significance

The Oachira temple also has a custom of offering clay idols of human body parts believing that the idol representing our diseased body part to be submitted to the divine energy will bring in the cure. In whole the Oachira temple premise consists of many grooves all without roofs believed to represent the wholeness and non-idol form of worship of the supreme.

Accessibility

Airport

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is the nearest Airport located 71km from Kollam.

Railways

Kollam Railway Station is an important rail head of the southern railways.

Road

Kayamkulam Bus station is 5 km north of ochira and Karunagappally Bus Station is 10 km south of ochira.The ferry station is adjacent to the central bus station that is 3kms from Kollam the railway station.

Temple Address

Oachira Temple / Oachira Parabrahma Temple,
Oachira,
Kollam,
Kerala.