Oyoor

Oyoor is a small township of Velinalloor village in the Kottarakara Taluk. It is 25 km east of Kollam District and 20 km west of Anchal. Kottarakara (18 km), Ayoor (12 km) and Parippally (10 km) are well connected with this village.

Oyoor village is endowed with a mix of green paddy fields, narrow streams and rocky hills.

Oyoor is a center of attraction for kathakali enthusiasts all over the world. The renowned award winning kathakali performer Oyoor Kochu Govinda Pillai hails from this village. Others are Kalamandalam Ramachandran, Kalamandalam Ratheesan (Margi) and Kalamandalam Harikumar (maddalam performer.) Sree Rama Vilasam Kaliyogam is a famous kathakali club which owns a wide range of kathakali costumes and kathakali ornaments. Kalabharati, the Kathakali teaching institute, is situated about 5 km from here. Other major attractions are the Maruti Kalari and Natyasatra Dance Academy and Cultural Society. Temples that adorn the village are the Peykavu, Oyoor Keezhuttu Sree Durga Devi Temple, Mathiyodu Madan Kavu and Kaithakkal Devi Temple. Aruvikuzhi Waterfalls, Orkodu and Kalavayal are situated neaby. Travancore Engineering College is 5 km from Oyoor.

Tourist destinations near Oyoor include Kottarakara Ganapathi Temple, Velinalloor Sree Rama Swamy Temple, Chadayamangalam Jatayu Para and Kottukal Rock Cut Cave Temple. Kulathuppuzha, Thenmala and Punalur are easily accessible from here.