Parabrahma temple in ochira which is spread about 36 acres of land attracts thousands of devotees every day to this small town.

[Guest guest]

Ochira, well known as " Dakshina Kashi " in the spiritual world, is a small town

in Kollam district of Kerala( a southern state of India).

 

 

There are many versions on how Ochira got its name. Following is one of those

which makes more sense in the absense of any historical evidence. Param Brahmam

is the mythical God of Ochira temple and oviously the name of the place is

interpreted by the spiritual people based on the extreme power.

 

 

The iterpretation goes like this. '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.

 

 

Centuries ago when there were no temples, people across Kerala used 'Kavu' as

a worship place. 'Kavu' is nothing but a piece of land with trees and bushes in

mass. Later on Temples were formed as a workship place by the Brahmins for

keeping their supremacy. This caused the elimination of Kavus on a large scale

and the temples were constructed in their places.

 

 

However a few Kavus survived the resistance and continue to exist. Ochira is

one among them. Ochira still keeps the tradition of the Kavus, making this place

a historically important for Kerala.

 

 

Ochira temple is so unique and different from the rest of the worship places

across the state or country, in the sense that there is nothing exists here in

the conventional form of a temple. Most part, the Temple premises is only open

land with a few " Aal tharras " (a banyan tree with a base foundation). Puja is

performed on this foundations.

 

 

Apart from the spiritual side of Ochira temple, the most interesting concept

of this temple is its acceptance of any one who is seeking shelter and help.

Ochira stands out to be one and only example in this century to be a place for

those who seeks God through service and open heart. The concept behind this

temple is very simple, God exists every where, you seek them through service.

Ochira teaches it's devotees to care for the helpless and deseased people.

 

 

Oachira has been famous for long as one of the sacred places of Kerala.

Historically too, this place is very famous, for, it was on the plains of

Oachira that the much famed battle in the history of Travancore, the battle of

Kayamkulam was fought between Marthandavarma the Maharaja of Travancore and the

Raja of Kayamkulam. In commemoration of this historic battle 'Oachirakkali' is

conducted on the first and second of Midhunam (June-July) every year. The

Oachirakkali was one of the factors that brought fame and glory to Oachira. On

the first and second day of Midhunam (June-July) the young and the old, drawn

from the two karas lying east and west of Oachira, and forming themselves into

two groups, reach the 'Padanilam' and conduct the age-old fencing exercises

under the leadership of the elder Kalari Asan. It is to perpetuate the memory of

the great battle fought between the Maharaja Marthandavarma and the Raja of

Kayamkulam that the Oachirakali is conducted with much

eclat. Thus the Irupathettam Utsavam comes to an end with the Oachirakkali. A

big cattle fair is also held as part of the above festival .

 

 

Vrischikotsavam or 'Panthrandu Villakku' is a 12 day carnival held from

Malayalam calender month Vrichikam 1 to 12 (fall in November) Ochira is known by

the famous and 12 day long " Panthrandu villakku " (Vrichikotsavam) celebration

because of the spiritual importance of the days . The devotees even from far

away 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 " . When other temples creates separate entrance or rules for worship for

different religion/casts etc even in the 21st century , Ochira stands out to be

ideal in the concept of creating an environment where the rich and poor join and

stay together for such a long period with the minimum facilities provided.

 

 

Irupathettam onam is celebrated every year in oachia on the 28 th day of the

Onam festival with procession generally known as " Kalla kettu " . Normally the day

falls in September or October. There will be a large number of these start

coming from after noon to the temple premises accompanied by a large number of

people , music and drums.

 

 

 

 

Blab-away for as little as 1¢/min. Make PC-to-Phone Calls using

Messenger with Voice.