Oachira Temple
Oachira temple is one of the ancient temple in Kerala and situated on the borders of Kollam and Alappuzha districts. Oachira temple has neither a structure to house nor an idol to worship. Oachira is dedicated to the formless, infinite Para Brahmam, the Absolute and Supreme Principle. The annual festival ‘Ochirakali’ and ‘Panthrandu Vilakku’ is held during the first and second of the Malayalam month ‘Mithunam’. Ochirakali commemorates the historic battle between the Chempakasseri and Kayamkulam Rajas. During the festival, men dress up as warriors and enact mock wars wielding wooden sticks, brandishing swords and shields, enacting a kind of martial dance, standing knee deep in water. Two days of this ritual is followed by few days of brisk trading in cattle and agricultural produce, an old tradition now being revived. (more…)
