Oachira, the idol less temple of Parabrahma Murthy in Kerala
Oachira temple is an open to all pilgrims irrespective of caste, creed or religion, in the Kollam district. This temple is unique in the sense that there is no idol, no main structure and the Puja is done to the Aal Thara / Banyan Tree Foundations.
About Oachira Temple in the District of Kollam in Kerala
Oachira temple of Kerala is an ancient temple located in the Kollam district of the state of Kerala in India. Oachira is located on the borders of the Kollam and Alappuzha districts on the National Highway 47 and is said to be one of the sacred places in the whole of India.
Oachira Temple is dedicated to Parabrahmam or the Omkaramurthy and covers an area of about 36 acres. Oachira temple is the only temple in the whole of India which have no major temple structures and the deities are worshipped under the banyan trees. Another thing about the Oachira temple is that the main offering is the mud / soil taken from the temple premises. As far as the temple is concerned anyone can go and pray there, it believes in no caste, creed ir religion.
Gopuram, East Nada, West Nada, Ondikkavu, Ayyappa Temple, Mahalakshmi Temple and Ganapathi temple are the points of worship at the Oachira temple. There is no main temple there, only a few banyan trees with foundations known as Aal thara in Malayalam. Puja is performed to these Banyan Tree foundations. Fairs and Festivals in Oachira Temple of the Kollam District
'Oachirakali' is celebrated in the month of June. This is a unique festival which marks the battle that were held 300 years ago between Kayankulam and the Venad kingdoms on the paddy fields of Oachira.
This festival involves a mock fight with a display of Kalaripayattu by different groups representing different villages on the two fields set up for this purpose. Before starting the Kali or the Play, the participants undergo 41 days vratam.
The presiding deity Lord Shiva is taken out of the temple in a procession and the warriors who participate in the kali / play follow the procession to the field. The mock fight of the two groups start off and in the evening they pledge to return the next day. Again on the second day the program starts and the winners are chosen in the evening. The prizes are distributed to the best ones.
"Irupathettam Onam" or the 28th day after Onam, is a festival celebrated at the Oachira temple. This is celebrated as a festival of cattles. Eduppu Kala in malayalam meaning big structure of the Bulls, are made and pulled on giant wheels to the temple from where they are made. There will be around 50 structures like this at the time. This has become the most important festival of Onattu Kara of the area
Panthrandu Vilakku or the Twelve lamps is another main festival celebrated on the first 12 days of the Vriscigam month of the Malayalam Calender and this falls in the month of November every year. On the first of the malayalam month the custom starts with lighting lamps around the temple premises and this continues for 12 days. This is also known as the Oachira Vrischikam Festival. How to Reach Oachira Temple in the Kollam District of Kerala
This temple is located at about 34 kilometers from Kollam town. If you are travelling by air, you have to reach Thiruvananthapuram airport and then travel by road to Oachira. You can also reach Kochi and drive from there.
Kollam will be the major railway station and Oachira also has a small railway station where some of the trains do stop while going that side.
Since Oachira is located on the national Highway it is easily accessible by Road also.
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