Oachira Parabrahma Temple, located near the national highway in Oachira town of Kollam district, is a unique and ancient temple dedicated not to a deity in idol form but to the concept of Parabrahma—the universal consciousness. It is one of the rarest temples in India, revered for its unconventional worship practices and open-air sanctum.
Oachira Parabrahma Temple stands apart from traditional Hindu temples as it does not have a sanctum sanctorum or idol. Instead, devotees worship the formless Parabrahma, symbolizing the all-pervading divine power. The temple's open field, known as “Oachira Kaavu,” is surrounded by banyan trees and serves as the sacred space where rituals are performed.
The temple is deeply associated with Kerala’s spiritual traditions and plays a central role in the philosophical worship of Advaita Vedanta. Rituals here focus on meditation, offerings, and symbolic representations of universal energy. Cows are also worshipped at this temple, and feeding them is considered an auspicious act.
One of the most famous events here is the **Oachirakali**, a mock battle performed annually in memory of the historical battles fought by the Kayamkulam kingdom. The temple is not restricted by caste, creed, or religion and welcomes everyone to its spiritually inclusive environment.