Oachira Temple (Kerala)

The Oachira Temple is an extremely ancient temple located in Oachira in Kollam district in the South Indian state of Kerala. According to the Puranas this temple is one of the famous sacred places of Kerala and in India. Oachira is on the border of Kollam and Allappuzha districts, next to the National Highway 47. This very ancient pilgrimage center is centered on the ParaBrahma temple (that is dedicated to the Para Brahman (or Param Brahman) or OHMKARAM, the Universal Consciousness), and covers thirty-six acres of land.

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Every year the Oachira Vrischikam Festival is celebrated during the month of December/January. Oachirakkali is a famous ritual performed here during June and it involves mock-fighting in muddy water by traditional martial art experts. And “Erupathattam onam” (28 days after Onam) is also celebrated. It is the festival of cattles. In this festival, huge “EDUPPU KALA” (Gigantic Bull shaped structures) are made. They are then pulled on giant wheels to the OACHIRA TEMPLE from the site where they are made.

Normally there are around 50 such structures. It is the biggest festival in “Onattu Kara” which is an area of a few square miles. ‘OACHIRAKKALI’ 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 20 th 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 Oachirakkali. During the years of the Kayamkulam Rajah Oachirakkali 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.

Ward and Conner, two British officials entrusted to survey Travancore in the beginning of 19th century, had made their observations about Oachira in their report. In the report it was made clear that there was a very old and damaged Pagoda on the Eastern side of the Padanilam. It was also disclosed that there was a large reservoir at the center of the vast ground on which the Temple stands, which is now known as KALLUKETTUCHIRA, and which is outside the temple compound today.

History :

There are many beliefs as to why this place is called Oachira. Some people believe that the place name came from the word Omkarachira and some others believe that the name is originated from the name Oymanchira. Also there are strong beliefs that the name derived from Uvachanchira as Uvachan means Lord Siva as per belief. All these assumptions are based on myths.

The real reason for arriving at the name of Oachira is possibily different. For that, we should understand the observations made by the two British officials, WARD & CONNER, who had conducted a survey in the erstwhile Travancore during the beginning of the 19th century. In their survey report, it was mentioned that there was a large reservoir at the center of the large ground called Padanilam. This reservoir (tank/pond/chira) was at the center of the Padanilam. This chira was used by the soldiers in olden days for bathing and for supplying water to the horses used in the war exercises. This chira might have been known in olden days as Onattuchira, as the place belonged to the Kayamkulam Raja who was also called the Odanattu Raja or simply Onattu Rajah. The HeadQuarters of Kayamkulam Raja was at that time at Krishnapuram, very near to the Padanilam (which is hardly 1 km away from Oachira). So it is believed that the word Onattuchira was gradually accepted as the place name and as time passed by further, that word Onattuchira was corrupted into OACHIRA. This is quite a plausible explanation as there are so many examples in Known History about the transformation of place names.

Chotila Chamunda Temple

Chamunda and Chotila Devi are forms of Goddess Shakti (Parvati) worshipped mainly in certain regions of Gujarat. The twin goddesses are depicted as seated atop a lion. There are numerous stories that try to explain why Chotila Chamunda appears as twins but none of them are conclusive. So the origin and reason of their origin and why they incarnated are lost or hidden from human reach. The Goddesses are very powerful and thousands devotees have benefited by worshipping this unique twin form of Goddess Shakti.

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Chamunda wears red sari and Chotila wears green sari, trident or Trishul is their weapon and their temples are located atop a mountain. A pot is usually placed before the twin goddesses and this indicates fertility cult. The goddesses are depicted as sitting on a lion. A legend says that the two forms – were taken by Goddess Shakti to annihilate demons Chanda and Munda.

The story is when Demons Chand and Mund came to conquer Devi Mahakali and in the fight that ensues, the Devi cut their heads and presented these to Maa Ambika, who in turn told Mahakali that will be worshipped as Chamunda Devi. Mataji temples are always located at the top of the hills in India and the reason for this is that if you want darshnas of Mataji, you will have to undergo some physical strain.

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Chamunda Mataji is the Kuldevi (family Goddess) of most of the Hindus staying in Saurashtra region of Gujarat State.  There about 700 stoned steps up to the top of the hill. These steps were not covered by the shade before about 5 years. However, a good shade and railings now cover the entire walkway thus providing comfort to all the pilgrims. Famous industrialists, Ambani brothers of Reliance industries have donated this covering and the shades on the hill.

The most famous Chotila Chamunda Devi Temple is located at Chotial near Rajkot in Gujarat.  Please note that Chamunda is one of the forms of Goddess Durga that she took during her war with the demon Mahisha. And this is the most popular form of Chamunda and in this form she is mainly worshipped in eastern parts of India.

Perur Patteeswarar temple

Perur Patteeswaraswamy temple built by Karikala Cholan is located 7-km west of Coimbatore near river Noyyal. Coimbatore has many temples out of which the Perur Patteeshwara Swamy (also spelt as Swami) temple is the most popular one. The temple upholds huge statues. The significance of Perur temple in earlier days is unfolded in the poetic creations of Arunagiri Nather and Kachiappa Munivar.

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The temple stands on the banks of the holy river Noyyal called ‘Kanchi Manadi’ by the locals. The sanctum seen in the temple is the joint effort of the Chola, Hoysala and Vijayanagara rulers. This temple is rich in architecture. The statues of Gajasamhara, Virabadra, Bikshadana, Oordhva Thandava, Saraswati with Veena all rival one another in artistic perfection.

Lord Shiva is the presiding deity of this temple who is known as ‘Patteeswarar’ and his consort Parvati is known as ‘Panchanayaki’. The idol in the temple is believed to be ‘Swayambu Lingam’ (self emerged). This temple has several towers and mandapams with ornate pillars. The Golden Hall with the Golden image of Nataraja – the cosmic dancer here is known for its beauty. Ten pillars have various forms of Shiva carved on them. The roof has a series of stone chains.

Other temples here include the Pattivinayakar temple dedicated to Ganesha, the Arasambalavanar temple dedicated to Shiva, it is located on the spot where Shiva danced under a peepul tree. The North and South Kailasam temples guard the two directions of the temple.