This festival is one of those events in which you will feel the rustic spirit of Kerala in all its vibrancy. Ochira Kali is held as part of the festival of Ochira Parabrahma temple, Kollam, and commemorates the battle between the kings of Kayamkulam and Ambalappuzha, two erstwhile kingdoms of Kerala. Thousands of people come to see this rural event. Men, both young and old, dressed in colourful attire, step into the waterlogged paddy fields and engage in a dance like mock fight. This is a display of their physical skills as well, with hundereds of onlookers cheering from the sides of the field. Ochira Parabrahma temple is also unique for its having no visible deity. The whole worship here is centered around the concept of Parabrahma or Universal Consciousness. The Ochira Kali will be held on 15 and 16 of June 2008
Monday, June 2, 2008
Ochira Kali - Kollam
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Accessing Kollam
Telephone access code: +91-474
Air:
Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram (71 km)
Rail:
Kollam is an important railhead of the Southern Railways.
Enquiry Ph: 131
Road:
KSRTC, Central Bus Stn. Ph: 2752008
Ferry services:
The ferry station is adjacent to the central bus station (3 km from the railway station).
Tourist information offices:
DTPC Tourist Information Centre, KSRTC Bus Stand Ph: 2745625 DTPC Tourist Office, Guest House Complex, Asramam Ph: 2750170 Department of Tourism - District Office, Govt. Guest House Ph: 2743620
Kollam
Located 71 km to the north of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam is the centre of the country's cashew trading and processing industry. One of the oldest ports on the Malabar coast, Kollam was once the port of international spice trade. Thirty percent of this historic town is covered by the renowned Ashtamudi Lake, making it the gateway to the magnificent backwaters of Kerala. The eight hour boat trip between Kollam and Alappuzha is the longest and most enchanting experience on the backwaters of Kerala. The district also has some interesting historic remnants and a number of temples built in the traditional ornate architectural style.
Area: 2579 sq. km.
Population: 2,584,118 (2001 census)
Altitude: Sea level
