Temple

Located in Oachira in Kollam district of Kerala, the Oachira Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to the ParaBrahma, It is one of the famous sacred places in Kerala and India. It is also known as Dakshina Kashi and a unique offering to the temple is in the form of bulls. Another feature of the Oachira Temple is that the temple does not have a proper structure or an idol to worship.

Legend

According to the legends, there was a large reservoir ('chira') at the center of the large ground called Padanilam, which is outside the temple compound at present. In olden days, this chira was used by soldiers for bathing and for supplying water to the horses used in the war. The chira was known as Onattuchira, as the place belonged to the Kayamkulam Raja who was also called the Odanattu Raja or simply Onattu Rajah. Hence the place came to known as Onattuchira and as time passed by the word Onattuchira was corrupted into Oachira.

Architecture

The temple does not have a covered structure. There is no sanctorum in the temple.

Darsan Info

Oachira Temple is also known as Dakshina Kashi (Benares of the South). 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.

Darsan Dresscode

At Oachira Temple, No specific dress code.

Famous Festival

June - Ochira Kali

November - Panthrandu Vilakku

December - Panthrandu Vilakku

Culture

The local culture is related to the warrior cantonment, but the concept of the Oachira Temple transcends the conventional temple logic. It embraces a humanitarian ideal.

Temple Rituals

A striking feature of Oachira Temple is that like the traditional temples, which have definitive structural layout and mode of worship, the temple at Ochira does not have a proper structure or an idol for the visitors to worship. The whole concept of worship revolves around the Parabrahmam or the universal consciousness. This unique temple setting itself is a big attraction to hundreds of visitors coming to the temple everyday, irrespective religious faith.

Special Rituals

Oachirakkali is a famous ritual performed at Oachira Temple during June and it involves mock-fighting in muddy water by traditional martial art experts. And "Irupathattam onam" (28 days after Onam) is also celebrated. It is the festival of cattle. In this festival, huge "Eduppu kala" (gigantic idols of bull madeof cloth&hay) are made. They are then pulled on giant wheels to the Oachira Temple from the site where they are made.

Additional Info