Situated in the border of Kollam and Alappuzha districts, adjacent to the National Highway 47, Ochira attracts thousands of people everyday for both pilgrimage and business to this tiny town. What makes Ochira so important and unique ?. Its rich traditions and modern outlook towards life, cultural integrity and social harmony are the favourable reasons for the success of Ochira to be a great spot in the map of Kerala.
Ochira Temple
The Ochira temple, located in Kollam, is a unique temple of its own kind. A striking feature of the temple is that there is no deity in the temple complex. More over, the temple also do not have any Pujari to perform rituals. The temple is dedicated to universal consiousness and has no idol of any god. The structure of the temple is also not like any traditional temple. It is a place of equal devotion for all religions. The temple is also known as Dakshina Kashi and a unique offering to the temple is in the form of bulls. Another interesting aspect in connection with the temple is the annual festival called Ochira Kali, where men, both young and old, step into waterlogged paddy fields and indulge in mock fights, involving physical skills of the participants.
Ochira Kali
The Ochira-Kali festival is held in front of the Ochira temple. The play, called 'kali', in which a large number of people participate is held as a part of an annual festival to commemorate a battle fought between the kings of two feudal principalities, Kayamkulam and Ambalapuzha. The festival falls in mid of June and it lasts for two days. The mock show of the fight is done on both days. This dance-drama is a very popular celebration in Kerala.
