Ochirakkali

Ochirakkali

Ochirakkali, a festival of martial arts, is the annual festival of Ochira temple located 34 km north of Kollam town, dedicated to Parabrahmam. It is celebrated to commemorate the historical battle fought between the erstwhile rulers of Kayamkulam and Ambalappuzha. Celebrated on the first and second of the Malayalam month Mithunam (i.e in June), Ochirakkali is a mock fight enacted between groups of men dressed as warriors on the padanilam (battle field). During the festival, young and old men from the east and west parts of Ochira, form themselves into two groups and perform their martial art i.e Kalarippayattu standing in knee-deep water, brandishing swords and shields and splashing water in every direction. Cattle and agricultural fair is held on the following three days and it attracts a large throng.

Another festivals held in the Ochira temple are Vrischikotsavam and Irupethettam Onam. The 12 day carnival Vrischikotsavam also known as Panthrandu Vilakku (the festival of twelve lamps), starts from the 1st day of the Malayalam month Vrichikam (November-December). This festival draws thousands of pilgrims even from far away places. Huts called 'Kudil' is specially made in the Padanilam and during the festive days devotees can stay here irrespective of their social status. Various entertainments like circus, magic, miniature gambling etc and several cultural programs including spiritual talks by famous personalities are held during the festival.

Irupethettam Onam, usually falls in the month of September- October, is celebrated on the 28th day of annual Onam festival with a procession known as kalakettu. Kala is assumed to be the vehicle of Parabrahmam. During the festival, different groups of people from all the sides of Ochira will make dummies of Ochirakala. These are brought to the padanilam and a competition is arranged for the best model.

This is an annual festival celebrated at Ochchira, a village near Kayamkulam in Thiruvananthapuram district. This festival is celebrated in memory of a battle between the Rajas of Quilon (Kollam) and Kayamkulam. The fight is the final part of the festival of the Ochira Parabrahma temple here. Thousands of devotees, including residents and tourists, witness the festival.

The Dynasty of the king of Kayamkulam was spread over eight provinces. The battlefield is known as 'Ettukandam' or the eight fields. Ochira Kali is conducted on the first and second days of the Malayalam months Mithunam or Avany (June-July) annually during the monsoon season. For seven days beginning with the first, it is popularly believed that there will be incessant rain. 

The participants fight each other in a mock battle standing in knee-deep water, brandishing mock swords and shields while splashing water and mud. On the first day, the fight is conducted from 8 am to 11 a.m. and on the second from 12 pm to 3 pm. Only men, usually from the Nair community could take part in it. The appearance of a kite hovering in the air summons the players to arms. Each player is dressed colourfully in the native attire and armed with a sword and shield. The combatants do not fight in pairs but in sets. The parties advance towards each other, perform a number of movements forwards and backwards, with a single individual standing in front on each side. The movements are first slow, but as the fight progresses they become quicker and quicker. These resemble the movements of assault and retreat in regular warfare. The kite appears again and this time it is the signal for the tournament to stop. The same programme is repeated on the second day.  

The Ochira Parabrahma temple, is dedicated to universal consciousness. The uniqueness of the temple is that there are no idols.