Oachirakali begins
KOLLAM: The noted festival of Onattukara, Oachirakali began with all the usual festivities at the `kalikandam’ near the Oachira Parabrahma temple on Sunday.
The two-day festival began with the hoisting of the flag by Temple Trust president Arampil Sukumaran Unnithan. By 1 pm, hundreds of men of all ages dressed in the attire of warriors accompanied the procession of the deity which was carried on the “Rishabhaâ€.
In an atmosphere reverberating with mantras eulogizing the deity, the warriors circumvented the Mahalakshmikkavu and Ganapathi althara and entered the Kalikandam (playing field). Following this, the warriors took positions on the eastern and western side of the field. When they received the signal to start the fight, the warriors came face to face and displayed their martial art skills.
The Oachirakali will continue on Monday. When the temple authorities honour the participants with `panakkizhi’, the festival will conclude in the afternoon. A cattle expo also has been arranged as part of the festival.
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More About Oachira Temple from Wikipedia
The Oachira Temple is an ancient temple in
Oachira
in
Kollam
district of South Indian state
Kerala
. 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 also “Erupathattam onam”(28 days after Onam) is also celebrated. It is the festavle for catteles. In this festavel huge “EDUPPU KALA” (Gigantic Bull shaped structures) are made. It is then pulled by road on big wheels to OACHIRA TEMPLE from the site where it is made. Normally there are around 50 such structures made. It is the famous festival in “Onattu Kara” which is an area of a few square miles.Oachira is the land of festivals. Vrichikam,OachiraKali,28thOnam.etc..
The Oachira Temple is unique in the sense that it does not have covered structures for temples. People worship Lord Parabrahmam (the incarnation of Brahma/Vishnu/Maheswara) under neatly preserved trees.
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More about Oachira in
http://www.ochira.com/
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