It is held at a place called Ochira in Alleppey district. The kali
(play) in which a large number of people participate is held as a part
of an annual festival to commemorate a battle fought between the kings
of two feudal principalities, Kayamkulam and Ambalapuzha. The festival
falls around 15th June and it lasts for two days. The mock
show of the fight is done on both days. The fight takes place in front
of the Ochira temple. A very special feature of this temple is that it
has no temple building or any image of god or goddess. There are many
pipal trees which are all worshipped by the devotees. There are no official
pujaris. The main deity is known as Parabrahmam. The festivals are conducted
by a committee consisting of representatives of 52 villages around
this area. The large and open space known as Patanilam in front of the
place of worship is the ground where the mock fight take place. The participants
in the fight hold a sword in the right hand and a shield in other hand
and are dressed as warriors. Only members of the Nair community used to
participate in the kali. But now it has assumed the character of a festival
in which members of all communities take active part. Women do not participate
in the fight. There are no duel combats, only group fights. Two groups
fight each other, each group advancing in offence and retreating in defence.
The movement start slowly and gain momentum, attaining fast tempo. There
are a number of forward and backward movements which exhibit the physical
prowess of the groups involved.
