Oachira Temple

Introduction to the Oachira Temple

Oachira Temple is located in Oachira, Kollam district, Kerala. This unique temple does not have any idol and is dedicated to the supreme force of Nature. It is believed that the name Oachira is derived from Uvachanchira, which means Shiva. Other names for it include Oachira Parabrahma Temple, Doddamma Mandir, and Dakshina Kashi.

Legend of the Oachira Temple

According to legends, a large reservoir, 'chira,' was at the center of the large ground called Padanilam. It is currently outside the Oachira Temple compound.

In the olden days, soldiers used the water from the chira to bathe and feed the horses used in wars. People called the chira 'Onattuchira,' as the place belonged to the Kayamkulam Raja, Odanattu Raja, or Onattu Rajah.

Hence, the place became known as Onattuchira and became Oachira over time.

The Architecture of the Oachira Temple

The Oachira Temple is dedicated to Parabrahma, also called Omkaram, the universal consciousness. It does not have a covered structure; people worship Parabrahma under the trees. Even though the temple sprawls over 32 acres, no walls or sanctum are inside the premises.

Devotees worship Parabrahma, Shiva's original formless power, under preserved trees that have been neatly managed. However, the front area of the complex has 250-foot-high gopurams carved with various sculptures. Pillars, East Nada, West Nada, sacred Theertham, Ayyappa temple, Mahalakshmi temple, Ganapati temple, and Ondikkavu are some of the main features of the Oachira Temple.

The Main Offerings of the Oachira Temple

The unique offerings made in the Oachira Temple are Kayyum Kaalum, Ettukandam Urilicha, Uru Nercha, Bhajanam Parkkal, Vedi Vazhipadu, and Anna Daanam.

1. Kayyum Kaalum - Hands and legs made of clay are provided as offerings for healing sick people.
2. Ettukandam Urilicha - It is a procession held around two banyan trees with decorated bulls and Nadaswaram, and any devotee can offer it.
3. Uru Nercha - Devotees make offerings by bringing in a calf, donating to the Oachira Temple, and praying for healing.
4. Vedi Vazhipadu – It is the fireworks offered within the temple premises.
5. Bhajanam Parkkal – Devotees stay in specially made huts for 12 days with minimal facilities.
6. Anna Daanam - This has been the most important offering in the Oachira Temple for the past sixty years. Devotees donate for this purpose. The temple feeds the poor daily with the funds collected from the Anna Daanam offerings.

Festivals in the Oachira Temple

The Oachira Temple celebrates Panthrandu Vilakku (12 lamps) for 12 days between November and December. This festival is worth a watch, and it features agricultural trade fairs and cultural performances. Devotees live in modest huts on the temple grounds for 12 days.

In the Ochirakkali festival, traditional martial arts experts engage in mock fights in muddy water and paddy fields. It was originally a war exercise performed every year between June and July by the soldiers of Kayamkulam Raja. Gradually, the annual tradition developed into a complete festival celebrated with great gusto today.

The Erupethettam Onam falls 28 days after Onam, a festival in which giant effigies of bulls called Eduppu Kala are pulled on giant platforms to the Oachira Temple. This festival attracts huge crowds.