Oachira Temple

The Oachira Temple is an ancient temple in Oachira in Kollam district of South Indian state Kerala. The Oachira temple is a unique place of worship. It has neither a structure to house an idol nor an idol around which the temple is usually built. The presiding deity here is the abstract principle of the 'Parabrahmam' or the 'Divine Omnipresence' or 'Universal Consciousness'. It is believed that Lord Shiva meditated under the gigantic Ficus tree still there. These trees are the points of worship in this temple apart from the Naga (cobra) idols nearby. The main events at the temple, 'Oachirakkali' festival falls in mid-June, while the 'Panthranduvilakku' or the twelve-day festival of lights gets underway in November/ December. Oachirakkali involves mock-fighting in muddy water by traditional martial arts experts. "Erupathattam onam" that is 28 days after Onam is also celebrated. It is the festival for cattle. In this festival huge gigantic Bull shaped structures are made. It is then pulled on big wheels to the Oachira temple from the site where it is made. Normally there are around 50 such structures made. It is the famous festival in "Onattu Kara" which is an area of a few square miles.

Air: Kayamkulam does not have an airport, the nearest airport is the Kochi International Airport at around 85 kms.

Rail: Kayamkulam is linked to an extensive link of trains connecting it to Thiruvananthapuram, Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai. Not all the express trains have their stoppage at Kayamkulam, but all the passenger trains stop here.

Road: Kayamkulam is connected by a good road network to Alappuzha, Quilon, Cochin, and Thiruvananthapuram.