Parabrahma temple in Ochira which is spread about 36 acres of land, on the border of Kollam and Alappuzha districts, next to NH 47, attracts thousands of devotees every day to this small town. Ochira temple is so unique and different from the rest of the worship places across the state or country, in the sense that there is nothing exists here in the conventional form of a temple. Most part, the temple premises is only open land with a few 'Aal tharas' (banyan trees with a stone-laid base foundation). Poojas are performed on this foundations.
In the civilized culture, God is confined to the four walls of so called temples. They are given definitive shape and name. Param Brahmam - the extreme God of all Gods - the concept behind Ochira is nothing but the mother nature. Parabrahmam could also be said that the OMKARAM - or the syllable OM - the universal consciousness. Although Parabrahma is not having a figure, yantra or tantric figures, devotees could worship it as any thing they could conceive, and Parabrahma will manifest that form for the devotee. It is also believed by some that Lord Shiva is the Parabrahma Moorthi and hence consider Ochira as the place to worship Lord Shiva.
Padanilam is the land for warfoot in historical Kerala existed in many places. The nearest were Ochira, Karunagappally, Chakkuvalli and Nooranadu. All these were under the King of Kayamkulam. Traditional wars were done in these Padanilams. All these lands lost their importance after the fall of the King and later were disappeared in most cases. Ochira retained its historical importance. Temple was formed or extended in this land in Ochira. Ochirakkali which is a mock act played during the festival is held in this land in remembrance to the historical war.
Ochirakkaala (Sacred Bull) is an icon of Ochira. The first thought about Ochira is symbolized by this animal which is a beautiful sight in the Padanilam. Well decorated bulls are considered to be sacred in this temple and is believed to be the vehicle for Parabrahmam.
Devotees can make donations to the bulls in both the Nadas. Also devotees can donate calves to the temple as an offering. Ettukandam Urilicha(Procession accompanied by the bulls and Nadaswaram), another offering in this temple is a wonderful sight to the pilgrims.
Unlike the other temple, the offerings made in Ochira temple are very different. The most unique ones are the Kayyum Kaalum, Anna Danam, Bhajanam Parkkal, Ettukandam Urilicha, Vedi Vazhipadu and Uru Nercha. In both the Nadas, thes idols of hand and leg are provided as offering. These are offered for body healing of sick people. Annadanam is the most important offering in Ochira which is also supporting the social cause. Devotees can donate for this purpose. Annadanam is managed by the temple administration for the past 60 years. Poor and the helpless are fed daily with the fund collected from the Annadanam offerings. Bhajanam Paarkkal is another unique feature of Ochira temple offered as part of the famous 12 day Vrichikotsavam. Devotees come and stay in the padanilam in specially made huts. Those devotees who sacrifice these 12 long days with the minimum facilities makes a big difference. Ettukandam Urilicha is a spectacular seen for any one new to Ochira. It is a Procession held around two Aal tharas with decorated bulls and Nadaswaram and can be offered by any devotees. Uru Nercha is another unique ways in which devotees can make offering. Devotees bring in calf and donate to the temple and pray for healings.
Theerthakkulam(Sacred pond) located at the south end of Padanilam has a revealing myth. There was a devotee named Akavoor Chaththan living in Ochira centuries ago and he was invited by a group of Brahmins to accompany them to Varanasi. Old and tired, Akavoor Chaththan acknowldeged his inability to travel that long and requested the group to carry his walking stick and asked them to dip it in Ganga river and return to him. But the Brahmins lost the stick in Ganga river while trying to dip it. When Chaththan knew about this on the Brahmins return, he just went into this so called "Theerthakkulam" and prayed to Godess Ganga to return his stick. Surprisingly the stick appeared in the pond. Theerthakkulam is believed to be sacred from this point. The legends of Akavoor Chaththan and Azhvancheri Thambrakkal (the most powerful Brahmin in Kerala) are very famous and is given in 'Aitihyamala' of Kottarathil Sankunni.
Every year the Ochira Vrischikam Festival is celebrated during the month of December-January. Ochirakkali is a famous ritual performed here during June and it involves mock-fighting in muddy water by traditional martial art experts. "Erupathettam onam" (28 days after Onam) is also celebrated and is the festival of cattle. In this festival, huge "Eduppukala" (Gigantic Bull shaped structures) are made. They are then pulled on giant wheels to the temple from the site where they are made. Normally there are around 50 such structures. It is the biggest festival in Onattukara which is an area of a few square miles. Ochirakali was actually a war exercise performed annually by soldiers of Kayamkulam Raja. Nearby about 108 Kalaries were in 52 karas up to the beginning of 20th century. Soldiers belonging to the above Karas met together at Oachira at the Malayalam month of Mithuna every year and performing war like exercises. This is what is called Ochirakkali. During the years of the Kayamkulam Raja Ochirakkali was started after the blessings of nearby Nambiathiris, high order Nambudiri Brahmins, having the knowledge of Dhanurveda (the Science of Arms) who were also experts in Smrithy Sasthras.
Padanilam is the land for warfoot in historical Kerala existed in many places. The nearest were Ochira, Karunagappally, Chakkuvalli and Nooranadu. All these were under the King of Kayamkulam. Traditional wars were done in these Padanilams. All these lands lost their importance after the fall of the King and later were disappeared in most cases. Ochira retained its historical importance. Temple was formed or extended in this land in Ochira. Ochirakkali which is a mock act played during the festival is held in this land in remembrance to the historical war.
Ochirakkaala (Sacred Bull) is an icon of Ochira. The first thought about Ochira is symbolized by this animal which is a beautiful sight in the Padanilam. Well decorated bulls are considered to be sacred in this temple and is believed to be the vehicle for Parabrahmam.
Devotees can make donations to the bulls in both the Nadas. Also devotees can donate calves to the temple as an offering. Ettukandam Urilicha(Procession accompanied by the bulls and Nadaswaram), another offering in this temple is a wonderful sight to the pilgrims.
Unlike the other temple, the offerings made in Ochira temple are very different. The most unique ones are the Kayyum Kaalum, Anna Danam, Bhajanam Parkkal, Ettukandam Urilicha, Vedi Vazhipadu and Uru Nercha. In both the Nadas, thes idols of hand and leg are provided as offering. These are offered for body healing of sick people. Annadanam is the most important offering in Ochira which is also supporting the social cause. Devotees can donate for this purpose. Annadanam is managed by the temple administration for the past 60 years. Poor and the helpless are fed daily with the fund collected from the Annadanam offerings. Bhajanam Paarkkal is another unique feature of Ochira temple offered as part of the famous 12 day Vrichikotsavam. Devotees come and stay in the padanilam in specially made huts. Those devotees who sacrifice these 12 long days with the minimum facilities makes a big difference. Ettukandam Urilicha is a spectacular seen for any one new to Ochira. It is a Procession held around two Aal tharas with decorated bulls and Nadaswaram and can be offered by any devotees. Uru Nercha is another unique ways in which devotees can make offering. Devotees bring in calf and donate to the temple and pray for healings.
Theerthakkulam(Sacred pond) located at the south end of Padanilam has a revealing myth. There was a devotee named Akavoor Chaththan living in Ochira centuries ago and he was invited by a group of Brahmins to accompany them to Varanasi. Old and tired, Akavoor Chaththan acknowldeged his inability to travel that long and requested the group to carry his walking stick and asked them to dip it in Ganga river and return to him. But the Brahmins lost the stick in Ganga river while trying to dip it. When Chaththan knew about this on the Brahmins return, he just went into this so called "Theerthakkulam" and prayed to Godess Ganga to return his stick. Surprisingly the stick appeared in the pond. Theerthakkulam is believed to be sacred from this point. The legends of Akavoor Chaththan and Azhvancheri Thambrakkal (the most powerful Brahmin in Kerala) are very famous and is given in 'Aitihyamala' of Kottarathil Sankunni.
Every year the Ochira Vrischikam Festival is celebrated during the month of December-January. Ochirakkali is a famous ritual performed here during June and it involves mock-fighting in muddy water by traditional martial art experts. "Erupathettam onam" (28 days after Onam) is also celebrated and is the festival of cattle. In this festival, huge "Eduppukala" (Gigantic Bull shaped structures) are made. They are then pulled on giant wheels to the temple from the site where they are made. Normally there are around 50 such structures. It is the biggest festival in Onattukara which is an area of a few square miles. Ochirakali was actually a war exercise performed annually by soldiers of Kayamkulam Raja. Nearby about 108 Kalaries were in 52 karas up to the beginning of 20th century. Soldiers belonging to the above Karas met together at Oachira at the Malayalam month of Mithuna every year and performing war like exercises. This is what is called Ochirakkali. During the years of the Kayamkulam Raja Ochirakkali was started after the blessings of nearby Nambiathiris, high order Nambudiri Brahmins, having the knowledge of Dhanurveda (the Science of Arms) who were also experts in Smrithy Sasthras.
No comments:
Post a Comment