Oachira is a small town in Kollam district in Kerala, India. It 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.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.
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. It is a mock fight enacted between groups of men dressed as warriors on the padanilam (battle field). 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 celeberated in Oachira Temple is the "Irupathiyettam Onam" (Thiruvonum in the month of Kanni, second month of Malayalam Calendar). It is considered as the Onam of cows & bulls and is celebrated 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 the holy mud from the Temple which has medicinal value
