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History

A serene coastal town fringing the Arabian Sea, Varkala is a municipality in Trivandrum about 51 kilometers (32 miles) to its north-west. The soaring cliffs lining the azure sea and jutting into it in places make the Varkala landscape exceptional and striking. On either side the cliffs are speckled with mineral water sprouts and spas. Legend has it that sage Narada was once accosted by a few friars who conceded to having sinned. On hearing this he hurled his ‘valkkalam’ (the bark of tree worn by mythical sages) into the air. And the place where it landed later came to be known as Varkala. Narada then asked the friars to pray for their redemption at this newly created site by the seashore; the place is Papanasam beach to be more precise.

Popularly referred to as ‘Dakshin Kashi’ or Benaras of the South, the history of Varkala can be traced from the 3500-year-old Vaishnavite shrine. Characterized by red sedimentary cliffs lining the Arabian Sea, the topography of this beachside town points to the fact that it is an old geographical region. Geologists have coined the term ‘Varkala formation’ for these massive cliffs that are a unique geological feature in the otherwise flat Kerala coast. So much so the Geological Survey of India has declared it a geological monument. The 19th century Varkala Tunnel – a stretch of inland waterway built by the British as a trade route – stands testimony to Varkala’s forgotten trade channel and commercial past. It took 14 years to build this 924-foot-long tunnel and was used to ferry goods and people between Trivandrum and Kollam in the pre-independence times. Sree Narayana Guru is another historical personality who shaped Varkala’s history.

Built in 1904, the Sivagiri Mutt is the headquarter of Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham Trust founded by the renowned spiritual leader and social reformer Sree Narayana Guru (1856 – 1928). Today the mutt is home to the memorial or samadhi of the great philosopher and receives throngs of believers, all clad in saffron attire, from across Kerala and outside during the annual festival (30th December to 1st January). The mutt also serves as a meeting place of his disciples and saints, and works towards spreading his concept of ‘One caste, one religion, one god’.

Varkala Beach

A serene coastal town fringing the Arabian Sea, Varkala is a municipality in Trivandrum about 51 kilometers (32 miles) to its north-west. The soaring cliffs lining the azure sea and jutting into it in places make the Varkala landscape exceptional and striking. Behold this breathtaking scenery of cliffs thick with swaying palms standing sentinel over the sea, and down below a pristine stretch of sand laid-out like a ribbon washed by small white waves. Geologists have coined the term ‘Varkala formation’ for these red sedimentary cliffs that are a unique geological feature in the otherwise flat Kerala coast. So much so the Geological Survey of India has declared it a geological monument. On either side the cliffs are speckled with mineral water sprouts and spas. These mineral springs are believed to have curative properties.

Sivagiri Mutt

Amid tall palm groves and neatly tended lawns nestles the architectural Sivagiri Mutt atop a steep cliff – Sivagiri hill - soaring over the bright blue sea of Varkala. This deeply revered pilgrimage centre of the Keralites is about 3 kilometers (1.87 miles) from the iconic Janardhana Swamy temple. Built in 1904 the Sivagiri Mutt is the headquarter of Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham Trust founded by the renowned spiritual leader and social reformer Sree Narayana Guru (1856 – 1928). Today the mutt is home to the memorial or samadhi of the great philosopher and receives throngs of believers, all clad in saffron attire, from across Kerala and outside during the annual festival (30th December to 1st January). The mutt also serves as a meeting place of his disciples and saints, and works towards spreading his concept of ‘One caste, one religion, one god’. Guru Deva Jayanti, the birth anniversary and the samadhi day are celebrated in August and September respectively.

Janardhanaswamy Temple

Janardhanaswamy temple is a 2000-year-old Vishnu shrine perched on a steep cliff lining the Arabian Sea in Varkala. The original temple was destroyed by tidal waves only to be rebuilt many years later by a Pandyan king. A fine specimen of traditional South Indian architecture, the temple is a circular building with a red-tiled roof housing the main shrine, and speckled with colorful sculptures of deities from Hindu mythology. Appreciate its typical features such as the circular sanctum sanctorum surmounted by a conical dome of copper sheets, the beautiful wooden carving of navagraha (meaning nine planets) on the ceiling of the square mandapam with quadrangular enclosures around them.

Surface

The beach resort of Varkala is connected by state and national highways to all major cities in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. You can hail a State Transport Bus from East Fort in Trivandrum to Varkala.

Train

Varkala has a well-connected rail network. It is better to take the train if you are coming in from Trivandrum or Cochin. Most passing trains halt at Varkala. And on arrival at Varkala railway station you can hire a taxi or auto-rickshaw to the Papanasam beach, the hub, about 5 kilometers (3.12 miles) from here. Most resorts are around this area.

Air

The nearest international airport is in Trivandrum.