The state Kerala is home to a wide variety of amazing species of animals, birds and trees. Hundreds of travellers visit the state annually to indulge in adventure activities. The beguiling charm of the state propels the tourists across the globe to select Kerala as their picnic destination. Not only for one or two but for hundreds of reasons the state is a haven for visitors. The unique culture and tradition is the foremost thing that lures people from various corners of the world. Followed to it are the amazing groups of wildlife and flora. The picture-perfect monuments are worth to praise. Have you ever imagined a temple festival can draw thousands of travellers from various corners of the world? I know the answer would be No. But one such temple festival that lures people is none other than the Thrissur Pooram of Kerala. There are many temples as well as church festivals that forces people to avail of group tour packages to Kerala at cheap rates from various travel planners like Gogeo Holidays. They always focus on exploring unexplored destinations of Kerala. And when speaking about the unique temple festivals they always take their customers to the southern district of Kerala called Kollam. Apart from cashew plantations, the district is famous for the famous Oachira temple festival. The name of the temple itself induces curiosity in readers. So, without wasting time let us narrow down the following paragraphs and learn more about it.
Oachira
Oachira is a small town situated on the borders of Kollam and Alappuzha districts. The village is famous for the temple where the presiding deity is Para Brahman. There is an intriguing history hidden behind the name of Oachira village. Before talking about history let us have a glimpse of the myths. Some locals believe that the place name derived from either Omkarachira or Oyamchira. Others say the name derived from the word Uvachanchira where Uvvachan means Lord Shiva. Now let us go through the historical explanation about how the place got the name. Centuries ago when the British ruled the country two smart and elegant people called Ward and Conner conducted an intellectual survey on how the place got Oachira in the premises of princely state called Travancore in the 19th century. Their observations state that there was a large ground called Padnilam situated close in Kollam and had a large reservoir say tank, chira or pond at the centre. Where the soldiers and horses used to quench their thirst and bathe. The land was under the administration of Kayamkulam Raja or King called Odanattu Rajah or simply called Onatuu Rajah. And it was located very next to Padanilam. Hence the pond got the name Onattuchira and gradually the place started to know as Oachira.
Oachira Temple
Oachira temple in every sense is a unique temple. They do not possess any covered roofs for their temples. The temple is sprawled in an area of 36 acres of land. The temple is also known as ‘Dakshina Kashi’ or ‘South Kashi’. The temple is famous for its eccentric temple rituals and festivals. ‘Ochirakali’ is a form of war exercise practised in the early 20th century. The game was mainly practised by the soldiers of Kayamkulam rajah. The soldiers from 108 kalaries of 52 karas used to annually meet at the Oachira temple premises in the Malayalam month called ‘mithunam’. Over there they performed various styles of wars in muddy water. And it is popularly known as Oachirakkali. The other eye-catching festival of the region is ‘Irruppathettam onam’ or ‘cattle festival’. It is the festival celebrated annually on the 28th day after the state festival called Onam. On this day massive structures or idols of the bull using cloth or hay are made and are pulled from the construction site to Oachira temple. These idols are generally known as ‘Eduppu Kala’.
The story behind Oachira Temple
It is the only temple in Kerala where non-idol worship takes place. Devotees worship the Para Brahman under the trees. There is an interesting story behind the formation of the temple. Years ago there lived a true devotee. He was a Brahmin. He used to meditate for long hours or sometimes for days. He had a very faithful disciple called ‘Unnikkoran’. He was very obedient and sincere. Once he had a doubt whether God really existed, if so how it looks like? He was feared to ask these questions to his master. But one day he gathered the courage and asked the question to his master about god. Even though the saint was a good devotee he was selfish and was reluctant to share the knowledge. Unnikoran interrupted his master’s prayers by asking silly question. Furious master showed him a bull grazing on a paddy field opposite them and told that god looks like a bull. The poor Unnikoran believed it and said to worship the bull until it went back to his home. The activity followed for a few days. The saint was very happy by fooling his innocent disciple. Days passed one day the master asked him to pack bags for both of them as they were going to explore a new place. He had two luggage and they were so heavy to carry. The master didn’t help him. Poor Unnikoran was tired. Suddenly he heard a voice saying that ‘keep the bags on the bull’ he was astonished by hearing the voice as he couldn’t see anyone else than his master walking before him. He obeyed the words and kept the bags on a bull and started to follow his master. After walking for a few miles they reached the oachira forest where the bull got entangled in intertwined wines. Unnikoran helped him. The master suddenly turned back and saw unnikoran was walking freehand and talking alone. He asked where the bags are. He replied that he kept the bags on the bull. The master was surprised to see the bags were suspended in the air. And where is the bull asked the saint? He told it is here in grooves (unnikadavil). Unnikoran continued it is the same bull which he used to worship every day and now he has come to help him. The saint understood his mistake and apologised to almighty and pleaded unnikoran for making him his disciple as he got the darshan of God. The place the saint experienced the divine power is now turned to be the famous Oachira temple. Two banayan grooves are constructed near to unni kadavu. This is the story behind the non-idol temple.
To learn more about the temple and other intriguing stories avail of Kerala tour packages at cheap prices with a group of friends
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