Oachira Kali at Oachira temple in Kollam District of Kerala

About Oachira temple in the Kollam District

Oachira is a small town in the district of Kollam in Kerala.  There is a temple  in Oachira, a well known tourist destination since the temple is of the Parabrahma Murthy or the Omkara Murthy who is considered to be a supreme God who has no idol worship here.  Only the Aal Tharas are prayed upon and Pradakshinams done around these Banyan tree foundations. 

History of the Oachirakali of the Oachira temple

There is an historical back ground for this annual festival.  There was a war 300 yearss ago  between the kingdoms of Kayankulam and Venad on the paddy fields of Oachira. This Oachirakali is conducted  to commemorate  that fight  and the historical evenet which took place then. 

About  Oachirakali in the Oachira Temple

Oachirakali  is one festival celebrated in Oachira Temple in the month of  June every year.  This is a unique festival in the sense that it marks the battle that were held 300 years ago between Kayankulam and the Venad kingdoms on the paddy fields of Oachira. The Oachira kali festival  involves a mock fight among the two kalaripayattu groups with a display of  martial arts, representing different regions,  on the two fields, Padanilam, set up for this purpose.   They stand in knee deep water, brandish swords and shields  and splashing water on all sides.

On the Day of Oachira kali / Play at Oachira

Before starting the Kali / 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 stop their fight and pledge to return the next day.  Again on the second day the fight starts and the winners are chosen by the evening.  The prizes are distributed  to the best warriors.  

Cattle and Agricultural fair at Oachira in Kollam

There are two Karas  on the east and west of the Oachira  which form themselcves into two groups  under the leadership of a kalari Asaan. After this mock fight / Ochira kali there is a cattle and agricultural fair is held inside the Padanilam. 

How to Reach Oachira

Oachira is easily accessible as the temple is located on the National Highway 47 which runs towards Thiruvananthpuram via Kollam.  The temple is located on the west of the national Highway. 

If you are travelling by air you can reach either Kochi or Thiruvananthapuram airport and take to the National highway 47. You can see many buses running on the route and the temple can be seen fromthe road itself.  

Jewellery of Kerala

Kasumala -  This piece of jewellary is made by joining coins ( Kasu in malayalam) embossed with lakshmi's image. This is usually worn with the traditional Kasavu Mundu set in Kerala. It is often worn when the women of Kerala dance  for the festivals and functions like Thiruvathira  or kaikottikali. This kasumala is said to bring propserity to the wearer and comes with matching bangles and ear rings.

Nagapadam -  This is a design made like the hood of the serpent and it is said to be a tribute to the sarpa kaavu found in most of the malayali homes. The neclace has green stones  and can be worn either short or long topped by either 4 or 6 rubies. This is worn  with matching ear rings.

Mulla mottu mala -  This necklace  is named after the jasmine buds. This is a favourite traditional jewellery among the women of Kerala since it is reminiscent of the fragrance of the jasmine flowers.  jasmine flowers are the main flowers used in the temple worships of Kerala. This Mulla mottu mala also has a short and long variation  and has a set of matching ear rings. This is sometimes designed with a ruby or an emerald sitting on the top of the mullamottu.

Poothali - Every necklace in Kerala which comes with the word Thali will have a banyan tree leaf pendant. Poothali is one such piece whicch is worn tightly around the neck with several pendants strung together.each pendant has a intricate flower design with a stone in the centre which usually will be red or green.  The necklace is usually worn with the traditional Jimki or anyother matching ear ring.

Padakkamala -  This is one of the most ornamental pieces of the Kerala traditional jewellary. The padakka mala looks like a collection of medals having an elaborate design.Each medal is embedded with a single ruby and is often worn by the brides with the bridal trousseau. The necklace symbolises properity and can be teamed along with broad bangles. This is best worn with the traditional Kerala Kasavu Saree made of cream and gold.