Oachira Temple is an Ancient Temple located in Oachira, Kollam District Kerala. This temple is also known as Dakshina Kashi or South Kashi and has no shrine. The uniqueness of this temple is there is no idol in this temple. The principal deity is called Parabrahmam (Cosmic Consciousness). This very ancient pilgrimage center is centered on the ParaBrahma temple (that is dedicated to the Para Brahman or Param Brahman or Ohmkaram, the Universal Consciousness), and covers thirty-six acres of land. it has no deity or idol but is dedicated to Parabrahma.
The temple complex consists of two Althara and Sreekovil on the 22-acre site of the Shaiva-Vaishnava Shrine from the East Gate to the end Gate. The Maha temple is also home to many destinations for the destitute and orphans. Eternity Annadhananm (Mahadhanam) is an important ritual here.
Ward and Conner, two British authorities who surveyed Travancore in the early 19th century, mentioned their factual data on Oachira in their report. It was clarified in the report that there was an extremely old and damaged pagoda on the eastern side of Padanilam. It was also revealed that there was a large water tank in the center of the vast land on which the temple stands (which was now known as Kallukettuchira), and which stands today outside the temple.
Ettu Kandam Urulicha and Kuvalathumala are famous offerings at Oachira Parabrahma Temple. It is also believed that it was a Buddhist center that reverted after the revival initiated by Sri Sankaracharya. This pilgrim center believes in the existence of universal consciousness or one supreme power known as Parabrahma. One can only find ‘Aal thara’s’ (a peepal tree with a base foundation) where pujas are performed. There are no official pujaris. 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.
Ochira Temple Timings:
Morning: 4:00 AM to 8:00 AM
Evening: 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Temple Annadanam Timings: 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Ochira Param Brahman Temple Legend:
There is an interesting legend about the origin of the Oachira temple. There was a great Namboothiri devotee somewhere in the north. He had a servant to help him with his poojas. It was the usual Namboothiri practice to sit on Pooja for a long time. One day his servant Unnikkoran Nair (Akavoor Chathan) asked him why he was praying. Namboothiri told him that he worshiped Parabrahma. Then Unnikkoran Nair (Akavoor Chathan) asked what form the Parabrahma had. Sarcastically, the Namboothiri told him that the Parbrahama is like a “Madan Pothu” (Buffalo). Thereafter Unnikoran Nair (Akavoor Chathan) also worshiped Parabrahma in the form of “Madan Pothu” (Buffalo). Parabrahma took the form of “Madan Pothu” (Buffalo) and blessed the innocent devotee.
Ochira Temple Vazhipadukal/Offerings:
Ramayana Parayanam
Bhagavatha Parayanam
Ettukandam Urilicha
Choroonu
Thulabhalam
Adima
Udhyasthamaya Vilaku
Veetuvathukal Urulcha
Ramayana Parayanam
Sathyam
Kavadi Abhishegam
Urukkale Nadakkiruthal
Karikku Abhishegam(With Karikku)
Karikku Abhishgam(Without Karikku)
Koovala Mala
Archana
Jaladhara
Neelanjanm
Neyvilakku
Palabhishegam
Vidhyarambham
Oachira Kali Festival:
Oachira Kali” is a well-known custom performed here during June and it includes taunt battling in sloppy water by conventional military craftsmanship specialists.
Oachira Kali was really a war practice performed yearly by warriors of Kayamkulam Raja. Close by, around 108 Kalaries were in 52 karas up to the start of the twentieth century. Warriors having a place with the above Karas got together at Oachira in the Malayalam month of Mithunam consistently and performed war-like activities. This is what is called Oachira Kali. During the times of the Kayamkulam Raja, Oachira Kali was begun after the gifts of adjacent Nambiathiris, high request Nambudiri Brahmins, having the information of Dhanurveda (the art of arms) who were additionally specialists in Smrithy Sasthras.
Oachira Kali is held on the first & second day of Midhuna Masam of every year. Many people come from different parts of South India to watch and took part in the festival.
The participants attending the war game(kali), in the leadership of Kaliaasans (war leaders), take positions in the Oachira temple ground (padanilam) early. Traditionally, they stand in the ground east and west as per the instructions of Gurukkans(war leaders). In the leadership of the temple authorities and Kara Pramughans, with the blessings of Parabrahma the warriors (players) enter the Ettukandam to start the fight. To witness the war game, enormous people from far and wide encircle the field.
Sticks, swords and shields are the weapons of the warriors. The warfighters spend hours in a fight with the enemy warriors in the muddy fields.”THEE = THEE-THEAI: is the sound slogan of the players.
Interesting places near Ochira Temple:
Chettikulangara Devi Temple
Kandiyoor Mahadeva Temple
Mavelikara Sree Krishna Swamy Temple
Haripad Sree Subrahmanya Swamy Temple
Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple
Aadimoolam Vetticode Sree Nagaraja Swami Temple
Sree Kurakkavu Devi Temple
Changankulangara Sree Mahadeva Temple
Valiyakulangara Devi Temple
Kattil Mekkathil Devi Temple
How To Reach Ochira Temple:
By Air:
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is the nearest Airport and it is 98.6 km and Cochin International Airport is 133 km from the temple.
By Rail:
Kollam Railway Station is the nearest railway station, which is 33 km.
By Bus:
KSRTC Karunagappally Bus Station is 10.6 km south and the Kayamkulam Bus station is 6.1 km north of Ochira.
Oachira Parabrahma Temple Address:
Ochira Road,
Oachira,
Kollam District,
Kerala – 690525.
