- Oachira
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Oachira
Dakshina kashi
— town — Coordinates 9°8′0″N 76°30′0″E / 9.133333°N 76.5°ECoordinates: 9°8′0″N 76°30′0″E / 9.133333°N 76.5°E Country India State Kerala District(s) Kollam Nearest city Kollam City (32 km) Parliamentary constituency KOLLAM Time zone IST (UTC+05:30) Oachira or Ochira (Malayalam: ഓച്ചിറ 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.
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 by 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 learn Islamic teachings from him. The Juma Masjid renovated in 2010, and can accommodate a capacity of more than 3000 people. Remarkable Muslim personalities like the late Pathi Abdul Khader Musliyar, the late Ummarkutty Musliyar, and the late Oachira Mytheen Kunju Musliyar were from this Masjid/Daras.
For reaching to Oachira, railway station is 1.5 km from the town. The nearest airports are Trivandrum International Airport, which is 104 km away, and Cochin International Airport, which is 135 km away. Kayamkulam Jn. Railway station is just 7 km away, and all major express trains stop here. 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 1950, 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 is buried at Town Juma Masjid. Many pilgrims visiting his darga daily.
Contents
Places near Oachira
- Memana-Oachira railway station located in memana.
- Kappil
- Puthuppally[disambiguation needed
] - Krishnapuram,[disambiguation needed ] Valiyakulangara, Madaladimukku, Changankulangara
- Kochumury (south and north)
- Payikuzhi
- Prayar-Prayar RVSM High School located.
- Oachira Parabrahma temple is situated in Payikuzhi Muri
- Varavila
- One of the biggest kettukala in the Irupethiettam Onam Festival is from Payikuzhi Kara.
In the early times the natives of Oachira used to hire kettukala from remote places. Memana thekku Yuvajana Samithy, mainly a youth organisation is the front runner to construct a pair of kettukala as their own and also for Oachira. It was there after that, other karas followed the path.
Oachira is now under the Alapuzha Parliamentary Constituency.Oachira is known as a secular and peaceful place. Politically both left and right have equal majority. The Oachira Grama panchayath is ruling by LDF.
Famous Personalities
- S. Guptan Nair (Malayalam writer, literary Critic, Scholar, Orator, Essayist, Lexicographer, Translator and Educator)
- [[Anil Panachooran] (Malayalam Film Lyricist)
- A M Muhammed (Malayalam writer)
- Mr.Siraj meenatheri (Malayalam writer)
References
External links
Categories:- Trivandrum railway division
- Cities and towns in Kollam district
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