Oachira

Oachira
ഓച്ചിറ
Dakshina kashi
town
Oachira

Location in Kerala, India

Coordinates: 9°8′0″N 76°30′0″E / 9.13333°N 76.50000°ECoordinates: 9°8′0″N 76°30′0″E / 9.13333°N 76.50000°E
Country  India
State Kerala
District Kollam
Languages
 • Official Malayalam, English
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 690526
Telephone code 0476
Vehicle registration KL-02& KL23
Nearest city Kollam City (32 km), karunagappally town
Lok Sabha Constituency Alappuzha
Legislative Assembly Karunagapally (Kollam District)
Climate good weather all seasons (Köppen)

Oachira or Ochira (Ōcciṟa) 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.[1] Oachira is on the border of Kollam and Allappuzha Districts, next to the National Highway 47.[2] 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. It is about 53 km away from Paravur town.

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.[3] 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 swords and shields, 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 of 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 learned Islamic teachings from here. The Juma Masjid renovated in 2010, and can accommodate a capacity of more than 3000 people. Remarkable Muslim personalities like late Pathi Abdul Khader Musliyar,late Ummarkutty Musliyar and late Oachira Mytheen Kunju Musliyar were from this Masjid.

To reach Oachira,by air,the nearest airports are Trivandrum International Airport, which is 104 km away, and Cochin International Airport, which is 135 km away.By rail, Kayamkulam Jn. is just 7 km away, all major express trains having stop here and oachira Local station just 1.5 km from town. 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 1909, 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 buried at Town Juma Masjid. Many pilgrims visiting his darga daily.

Places near Oachira

Oachira is now under the Alappuzha Parliamentary Constituency and Karunagapally Legislative Assembly Constituency. Oachira is known as a secular and peaceful place.The Oachira Grama panchayath is under LDF rule.

Notable people

References

  1. ↑ Fairs and Festivals
  2. ↑ Ochira.com main page
  3. ↑ Oachira Kettukazhcha

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Oachira.