Varkala Beach - The Beauty created by nature

Varkala Beach

Varkala Beach is also known as Papanasam beach is sitiuated in Varkala, a calm and quiet hamlet, which lies on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram district.. It is formed along the Arabian Sea which is a part of the Indian Ocean. The word Papanasam means destruction of sins. It is believed that a dip in the waters of Papanasam Beach washes away all the sins in ones life.At the serene Varkala beach is a quiet sea resort rich in mineral water springs. 

A two thousand year old shrine the Janardhanaswamy Temple stands on the cliffs overlooking the beach, a short distance away. The Sivagiri Mutt, founded by the great Hindu reformer and philosopher Sree Narayana Guru (1856 - 1928) is also close by. The Samadhi (the final resting place) of the Guru here attracts thousands of devotees every year during the Sivagiri Pilgrimage days - 30th December to 1st January. Sree Narayana Guru propagated the ideology: "one caste, one religion and one god", in a society torn by the taboos of caste system. Moreover, large ritual known as Karkkidakavavu bali is conducted in Varkala once in a year along wth other places of kerala. It is the ritual performed in Kerala on the vavu or new moon day of the Malayalam month Karkkidakom (Cancer) to propitiate the souls of the ancestors.Usually the bali is performed on the death anniversary of a person, but Karkkidakavavu is considered all souls' day and performing the ritual on this day is believed to get the departed soul eternal peace and free it of any earthly bonds. The Pujaris (Hindu priests) help and guide devotees in chanting the mantras and performing the rituals.

The history of janardhana swamy temple is heared all along varkala. It is believed that the idol of janardhanaswamy got to the fisherman while catching fish. They found the idol stuck in their net. Therefore fishermen are given great respect in this temple.

How to reach

Air : The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport about 57 km away from Varkala

Rail : The nearest railway station is at Varkala town, 3 kms from the beach. There is direct connects from major towns in the states as well as neighbouring states.

Road : Varkala is 51 km away from Thiruvananthapuram and 37 km away from Kollam. Buses are there regularly between Thirvananthapuram and Kollam.

Varkala offers excellent accommodation facilities for tourists and is fast becoming a popular health resort with many Ayurvedic massage centres.