Oachirakkali

The Oachira Temple is the venue of the famous Oachirakkali (Oachira dance) held in June, a sort of ancient choreographed mock battle. Unlike other temples, there is no shrine or idol at the Ochira temple. This temple is the famous Parabrahma temple dedicated to the Universal Consciousness. It is located nearly 32 kms from Kollam. Ochirakali held in mid June and the twelve day Panthrandu Vilakku that is twelve lamp festival in November or December are the two main annual festivals. Ochirakali, is a mock fight enacted between groups of men dressed as warriors on the padanilam that is battlefield. They perform a martial dance standing in knee-deep water, brandishing swords and shields, and splashing water in every direction. In commemoration of this historic battle 'Oachirakkali' is conducted on the first and second of Midhunam that is June-July every year. Oachira has been famous for long as one of the sacred places of Kerala. Historically too, this place is very famous, for, it was on the plains of Oachira that the much famed battle in the history of Travancore, the battle of Kayamkulam was fought between Marthandavarma the Maharaja of Travancore and the Raja of Kayamkulam.