Oachira
Encyclopedia
Oachira or Ochira is a small town located 32 km away from Kollam city in Kollam district
in Kerala
, India
. It is one of the famous sacred places of Kerala
and in India. Oachira is on the border of Kollam
and Allappuzha Districts, next to the National Highway 47. It is a very ancient pilgrimage center that is centered on the ParaBrahma
Temple (that is dedicated to the Para Brahman
(or Param Brahman) or Ohmkaram, the Universal Consciousness
), which covers thirty-six acres of land, and Oachira Muslim Masjid also considered as one of the historical monuments.
The major annual festivals are Oachira Kali or Oachirakali (held on the first and second of Midhunam, i.e., June–July) and the twelve-day Panthrandu Vilakku (twelve lamp festival), which is held in November/December. Oachira Kali is celebrated in commemoration of the battle of Kayamkulam, fought between Marthanda Varma
, the Maharaja of Travancore
and the Raja of Kayamkulam
, on the plains of Oachira. It is a mock fight enacted between groups of men dressed as warriors on the padanilam (battlefield). They perform a martial dance standing in knee-deep water, brandishing sword
s and shield
s, and splashing water in every direction. A big cattle fair is also held as part of the festival.
Yet another festival celebrated in Oachira Temple is the "Irupathiyettam Onam" (Thiruvonum in the month of Kanni, second month of Malayalam Calendar
). It is considered the Onam
of cows and bulls and is celebarated on Thiruvonam
. These concepts are related to Shiva Vahana.
There is no sanctorum in Oachira Temple. The statues of the deities are placed below large banyan trees; the Prasadam is holy mud from the temple, which supposedly has medicinal value.
For the Muslim community, "Daras" at Oachira Muslim Jama-ath is well known in south Kerala. Late Vazhakkad Ustad (native by vazhakkad, malappuram) was one of the famous "mudaris" (headmaster in Arabic). With the contribution of king of Krishnapuram
, he made a well- reputed institution in this village. Many famous religious scholars learn Islamic teachings from him. The Juma Masjid renovated in 2010, and can accommodate a capacity of more than 3000 people. Remarkable Muslim personalities like the late Pathi Abdul Khader Musliyar, the late Ummarkutty Musliyar, and the late Oachira Mytheen Kunju Musliyar were from this Masjid/Daras.
For reaching to Oachira, railway station is 1.5 km from the town. The nearest airports are Trivandrum International Airport, which is 104 km away, and Cochin International Airport, which is 135 km away. Kayamkulam
Jn. Railway station is just 7 km away, and all major express trains stop here.
Oachira is the gateway to Matha Amruthananda Mayi Devi Asramam (HQ) at Vallikkavu, which is just 3 km away.
RCPM Hospital (popularly known as Dr. Kurup's Hospital) is the one and only maternity and child hospital. "Star hospital" is one of the famous hospitals having a 50-bed capacity. Parabrahma hospital and Aniyans hospitals are the other hospitals in the vicinity. RVSM Higher Secondary School, situated at Prayar is the oldest and biggest educational institution in and around Oachira. Started in 1950, this school was elevated as a higher secondary school and boasts a lower primary division too. Students gaining entry at the LKG can complete their pre-university exams (now known as +2) and attend the graduation courses of universities. Oachira Govt. H S is another well-known educational institution.
Oachira Uppapa - Muslim saint (?) who died and is buried at Town Juma Masjid. Many pilgrims visiting his darga daily.
In the early times the natives of Oachira used to hire kettukala from remote places. Memana thekku Yuvajana Samithy, mainly a youth organisation is the front runner to construct a pair of kettukala as their own and also for Oachira. It was there after that, other karas followed the path.
Oachira is now under the Alapuzha Parliamentary Constituency.Oachira is known as a secular and peaceful place. Politically both left and right have equal majority. The Oachira Grama panchayath is ruling by LDF.
Kollam district
-Climate:Kollam's temperature is almost steady throughout the year. The average temperature ranges from 25 to 32 degrees Celsius. Summer usually runs from March until May; the monsoon begins by June and ends by September. Kollam receives an annual average rainfall of around...
in Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. It is one of the famous sacred places of Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
and in India. Oachira is on the border of Kollam
Kollam district
-Climate:Kollam's temperature is almost steady throughout the year. The average temperature ranges from 25 to 32 degrees Celsius. Summer usually runs from March until May; the monsoon begins by June and ends by September. Kollam receives an annual average rainfall of around...
and Allappuzha Districts, next to the National Highway 47. It is a very ancient pilgrimage center that is centered on the ParaBrahma
Para Brahman
Para Brahman or Param Brahman - is a term often used by Vedantic philosophers as to the "attainment of the ultimate goal". Adi Shankara has said that there is only one Supreme Para-Brahman and all the other deities are the forms and expansions of this Para-Brahman...
Temple (that is dedicated to the Para Brahman
Para Brahman
Para Brahman or Param Brahman - is a term often used by Vedantic philosophers as to the "attainment of the ultimate goal". Adi Shankara has said that there is only one Supreme Para-Brahman and all the other deities are the forms and expansions of this Para-Brahman...
(or Param Brahman) or Ohmkaram, the Universal Consciousness
Consciousness
Consciousness is a term that refers to the relationship between the mind and the world with which it interacts. It has been defined as: subjectivity, awareness, the ability to experience or to feel, wakefulness, having a sense of selfhood, and the executive control system of the mind...
), which covers thirty-six acres of land, and Oachira Muslim Masjid also considered as one of the historical monuments.
The major annual festivals are Oachira Kali or Oachirakali (held on the first and second of Midhunam, i.e., June–July) and the twelve-day Panthrandu Vilakku (twelve lamp festival), which is held in November/December. Oachira Kali is celebrated in commemoration of the battle of Kayamkulam, fought between Marthanda Varma
Marthanda Varma
Marthanda Varma , was the founder of the Indian Hindu feudal kingdom of Travancore from Venad SwaroopamHe ruled from 1729 till his death in 1758, having succeeded his maternal uncle Dharma Raja.King Marthanda Varma is usually credited as the "founder of Kingdom of Travancore" from...
, the Maharaja of Travancore
Travancore
Kingdom of Travancore was a former Hindu feudal kingdom and Indian Princely State with its capital at Padmanabhapuram or Trivandrum ruled by the Travancore Royal Family. The Kingdom of Travancore comprised most of modern day southern Kerala, Kanyakumari district, and the southernmost parts of...
and the Raja of Kayamkulam
Kayamkulam
Kayamkulam is a town and a municipality in Alappuzha district of the Indian state of Kerala. It is an ancient maritime trading centre. One of the largest power plants in Kerala, run by the NTPC, is located in Kayamkulam. Krishnapuram Palace is located nearby and an old cashew factory.Kayamkulam is...
, on the plains of Oachira. It is a mock fight enacted between groups of men dressed as warriors on the padanilam (battlefield). They perform a martial dance standing in knee-deep water, brandishing sword
Sword
A sword is a bladed weapon used primarily for cutting or thrusting. The precise definition of the term varies with the historical epoch or the geographical region under consideration...
s and shield
Shield
A shield is a type of personal armor, meant to intercept attacks, either by stopping projectiles such as arrows or redirecting a hit from a sword, mace or battle axe to the side of the shield-bearer....
s, and splashing water in every direction. A big cattle fair is also held as part of the festival.
Yet another festival celebrated in Oachira Temple is the "Irupathiyettam Onam" (Thiruvonum in the month of Kanni, second month of Malayalam Calendar
Malayalam calendar
Malayalam calendar is a solar and sidereal Hindu calendar used in Kerala, India. The origin of the calendar has been dated as 825 CE....
). It is considered the Onam
Onam
Onam is a Hindu festival celebrated by the people of Kerala, India. The festival commemorates the Vamana avatar of Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of the legendary Emperor Mahabali. It falls during the month of Chingam and lasts for ten days...
of cows and bulls and is celebarated on Thiruvonam
Thiruvonam
Thiruvonam is a Taluk town in Thanjavur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.-Geography:Thiruvonam is located at . It has an average elevation of 36 metres .-Demographics:...
. These concepts are related to Shiva Vahana.
There is no sanctorum in Oachira Temple. The statues of the deities are placed below large banyan trees; the Prasadam is holy mud from the temple, which supposedly has medicinal value.
For the Muslim community, "Daras" at Oachira Muslim Jama-ath is well known in south Kerala. Late Vazhakkad Ustad (native by vazhakkad, malappuram) was one of the famous "mudaris" (headmaster in Arabic). With the contribution of king of Krishnapuram
Krishnapuram
Krishnapuram may refer to places in India:* Korapa.Krishnapuram, Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh* Krishnapuram, Alappuzha, Kerala...
, he made a well- reputed institution in this village. Many famous religious scholars learn Islamic teachings from him. The Juma Masjid renovated in 2010, and can accommodate a capacity of more than 3000 people. Remarkable Muslim personalities like the late Pathi Abdul Khader Musliyar, the late Ummarkutty Musliyar, and the late Oachira Mytheen Kunju Musliyar were from this Masjid/Daras.
For reaching to Oachira, railway station is 1.5 km from the town. The nearest airports are Trivandrum International Airport, which is 104 km away, and Cochin International Airport, which is 135 km away. Kayamkulam
Kayamkulam
Kayamkulam is a town and a municipality in Alappuzha district of the Indian state of Kerala. It is an ancient maritime trading centre. One of the largest power plants in Kerala, run by the NTPC, is located in Kayamkulam. Krishnapuram Palace is located nearby and an old cashew factory.Kayamkulam is...
Jn. Railway station is just 7 km away, and all major express trains stop here.
Oachira is the gateway to Matha Amruthananda Mayi Devi Asramam (HQ) at Vallikkavu, which is just 3 km away.
RCPM Hospital (popularly known as Dr. Kurup's Hospital) is the one and only maternity and child hospital. "Star hospital" is one of the famous hospitals having a 50-bed capacity. Parabrahma hospital and Aniyans hospitals are the other hospitals in the vicinity. RVSM Higher Secondary School, situated at Prayar is the oldest and biggest educational institution in and around Oachira. Started in 1950, this school was elevated as a higher secondary school and boasts a lower primary division too. Students gaining entry at the LKG can complete their pre-university exams (now known as +2) and attend the graduation courses of universities. Oachira Govt. H S is another well-known educational institution.
Oachira Uppapa - Muslim saint (?) who died and is buried at Town Juma Masjid. Many pilgrims visiting his darga daily.
Places near Oachira
- Memana-Oachira railway station located in memana.
- Kappil
- PuthuppallyPuthuppallyPuthuppally Puthupally is situated 8 km south of Kottayam town encircled by rivers, paddy fields and hills having a 30000 + population of various cast and creeds...
- KrishnapuramKrishnapuramKrishnapuram may refer to places in India:* Korapa.Krishnapuram, Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh* Krishnapuram, Alappuzha, Kerala...
, Valiyakulangara, Madaladimukku, Changankulangara - Kochumury (south and north)
- Payikuzhi
- Prayar-Prayar RVSM High School located.
- Oachira Parabrahma temple is situated in Payikuzhi Muri
- VaravilaVaravilaVaravila is a small place located near Oachira in Kollam district, Kerala, India. Clappana village is in Varavila. Mainly Varavila is the Post Office in Clappana....
- One of the biggest kettukala in the Irupethiettam Onam Festival is from Payikuzhi Kara.
In the early times the natives of Oachira used to hire kettukala from remote places. Memana thekku Yuvajana Samithy, mainly a youth organisation is the front runner to construct a pair of kettukala as their own and also for Oachira. It was there after that, other karas followed the path.
Oachira is now under the Alapuzha Parliamentary Constituency.Oachira is known as a secular and peaceful place. Politically both left and right have equal majority. The Oachira Grama panchayath is ruling by LDF.
Famous Personalities
- S. Guptan NairS. Guptan NairS. Guptan Nair was a well known Malayalam writer, literary critic, scholar, orator, essayist, lexicographer, translator and educationist. A multi-faceted personality, his interests included music, acting and sports .He was a critic-visionary who probed the human values and aesthetics of...
(Malayalam writer, literary Critic, Scholar, Orator, Essayist, Lexicographer, Translator and Educator) - Anil PanachooranAnil PanachooranAnil Panachooran is a noted Malayalam film lyricist and poet. A lawyer by profession, Panachooran lives on the income from his lyrical and poetic work...
(Malayalam Film Lyricist) - A M MuhammedA M MuhammedA M Muhammed , is a writer in Malayalam based in Abu Dhabi.A.M.Muhammed, born in Madathikaranma, Oachira, Kerala. He is well noted writer in Malayalam, he has published more than one dozen books as Novels, Short stories, Essays and Dramas. ‘Sahara’ is his well known novel written in the theme of...
(Malayalam writer) - Mr.Siraj meenatheri (Malayalam writer)