Varkala is small town in Kerala, South India. Located about 45 kms from Thiruvananthapuram, Varkala is an important Hindu pilgrimage center. Varkala is known for Papasnanam Beach and 2000 years old Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple. Varkala is the right place for the people searching a respite from the daily routine life. Varkala has been a Hindu pilgrimage site since the 12th Century for the Janardhana Temple was built during this period. The main beaches and tourist area are located at the cliff top, which is about 7 minutes walk from the Temple. Varkala is for the calm of the mind and the weary of the body. It is indeed far from the bustling crowd of the more predominant beaches, but none the less beautiful. It is the soothing breeze that lulls the mind and fans the soul, the mystic tune that half eludes and whose beauty enthralls.Varkala Beach, a beatification of tranquillity and solitude, straddles unending against ruffling ocean, and is crowned with laterite red cliffs. Varkala, also known as the Dakshina Kashi, is a famous Hindu pilgrimage, where thousands of Hindus visit to wash their sins in the waters of Papanasham Beach and pay reverence to the Samadhi of Shri Narayan Guru, located on the cliff top. The beach-wet spirit of Varkala appeals pilgrims and ardent travellers, alike. Contrastingly, on one side where it is a venerated Hindu pilgrimage, on the other it is populated by hip hep hippies lazing on the sea-shore, showcasing the verisimilitude that Varkala is.Varkala Beach the town has excellent telecommunication facilities, round-the-clock power, an average-rated water supply system, fire station, several post offices and police station. The town boasts a government-run hospital in addition to nearly 10 private hospitals and some dental clinics. Several elementary and senior-secondary schools, both government-run and private are also functioning. In addition to an Arts and Science college named after Sree Narayana Guru, there are several private professional institutions offering courses like nursing and teaching. A dental college, Sri Sankara Dental College, has recently started functioning in Akathumuri with an intake permission of 50 students. People of Varkala are generally employed in service sector. A very good portion of them are working outside India mainly in the Middle East region. Varkala also has a very sizeable number of expatriates in the United Kingdom.
Varkala, a new destination in Kerala, is for those who prefer to do absolutely nothing while holidaying. Due to a spillover resulting from the over saturation of Kovalam, foreigners started coming to the town about six years ago. The trend that started as a trickle became a steady flow within two years. Today, there is a constant stream of visitors. However, because of the area’s comparative inaccessibility, a large influx of “outsiders” has not happened here.
Location info:
In the south Indian State of Kerala, on the high ranges of the western ghats.
Climate/Weather:
November to April is the best time to visti the place sine the climate is sober at these time of the year.
History of Varkala City:
Legends say, that a king of the Pandyan dynasty was instructed by the Lord Brahma to construct the Janardhana Temple to relieve the king of his sins. The idol’s location was prophesied to the king in his dream, it is believed. Thus for ages Varkala has been a pilgrimage destination and is in recent years a favored tourist getaway.Very sacred place among Hindu’s in south India, it is also called as ‘Dakchhin Kashi’ ( Varanasi of south India) as the 3500 years old temple of ‘Lord Janardanswami’ is here, devoted to Vishnu and Hanuman, an important Hindu shrine of Vaishnav clan.
This temple is very closely located to “PAPNASHNAM BEACH”. Beach, where according to Hindu rituals, you can wash away or get rid of your sins by taking holy dip in its water and purify yourself. After the death of some near and dear, Hindu’s bring there ashes here and after performing a custom famous in south India called ‘Vavu Beli’, the ashes are dipped permanently into the sea of this Papnashnam beach so that his or her sins should be washed away and he or she shall go to heaven permanently.
Educational Institutions Varkala City:
Langauge
The local language spoken here is Malayalam the mother tongue of the people of Kerala known as keralites or Malayalees
Culture:
How to reach Varkala City?
Nearest Railway Station:The railway station is 3 kms from the beach.
Nearest Airport:Varkala though does not have an airport of its own, the most convenient airport is Trivandrum is nearly an hour’s drive from here. Trivandrum, being the capital city of Kerala, has a very good air network and is connected to Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Chennai, Kochin and Kolkata.
Road Transport:Varkala is 54 km from Thiruvananthapuram and 37 km from Kollam. Varkala is 90 minutes away on the bus and a pleasant convenient place to stop for a night or more or an afternoon when travelling between Alappuzha or Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram.
Tourist Attraction of Varkala City
The Papanasam Beach The Papanasam Beach is a beautiful tourist haunt. It is the perfect setting to spend a leisurely, mellow holiday, drinking in the beauty of the golden sunset, the tame waves and the towering cliffs of red – laterite. Out of these majestic sentinels standing to the north of the 3km stretch of beaches, gush out mineral fresh water springs. The other beaches such as Thiruvambady Beach and Kappil Beach are also known for their pristine beauty and natural grace.The Janardhana Temple This 2000 year old temple is famed to have been built on divine bidding. It is an esteemed shrine of the Hindus attracting hundreds of devotees in July-AugustSivagiri Mutt The Sivagiri Mutt – a religious site was founded by Sree Narayana Guru (1856 – 1928) the renowned philosopher and social reformer of modern Kerala. The Sivagiri Mutt is also the headquarters of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Sangham, a religious organization established by the Guru to propagate his concept of ‘One Caste, One Religion, One God’. The ‘Sivagiri Pilgrimage’ is usually conducted between 30th December and 1st January every year.Anjengo Fort The Dutch East India Company built a strategic garrison called Anjengo Fort near varkala. This fort seemed to have played a very important role in their military stratagy during the 17th and 18th centuries.Yoga, Ayurveda, & Massage Centres To relax the mind, the spirit and the body, to adopt ancient and herbal healing methods do avail of the ayurveda programs and services offered by most resorts in Varkala.
Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation in Varkala City:
The Gateway Hotel Janardhanapuram Varkala Near Government Guest House, Varkala, 695 141 – 0470 2603000Stavyah Lifecare , Varkala Stavyah Lifecare Services Pvt. Ltd., Near Varkala Court, Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695141 – 0470 2607766Hindustan Beach Retreat Papanasam Beach, Janardhanapuram, Varkala, Trivandrum, Kerala 695141 – 0470 2604254Mascot Hotel Mascot Square, Pmg Junction, Palayam, Trivandrum, Kerala 695 033 – 0471 2318990Hotel Taj Residency Ernakulam, Ernakulam, Kerala – 0(91-484) 2371471Taj Garden Retreat Janardhanapuram, Near Government Guest House, Varkala, Kerala – 0470 2603000Residency Tower The South Gate Of Govt. Secretariat, Press Road, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala – 0471 2331661Pankaj Hotel Rated Opposite Old Secretariat, M.G.Road, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala – 0471 2464645Travancorecabs Tc/25/1490.S.S.Kovil Rd,, Thampanoor, Trivandrum, Kerala 695001 – 09447970371
