Also famous in Varkala is the 2000 year old Janardana Swami Temple which is an important site for devotees of Lord Vishnu and is often referred to as Dakshin Kashi (Benares of the South). The temple is located close to the Papanasam beach which is claimed to contain holy water that can wash away one's sins and is also an important Ayurveda treatment centre.
Varkala is the place to go if you are looking for a quiet holiday minus the crowd and the noise; the destination is also easy on the pocket as it is not very expensive. The peak season in Varkala is from December to March, with Decembeer and early January witnessing the hughest rush of tourists. This little beach town has only recently been developed as a tourist destination and was not very popular a couple of years back.
Famous Tourist Attractions in Varkala
Though Varkala is a small town and has only recently opened up to tourists there is a lot to see and do here:
Varkala Beach
Also known as Papanasam Beach, this is the place to go if you would like to enjoy sun bathing and swimming. It is a delight to relax while watching the sun set in the evenings. The cliff and the beach are home to many resorts, restaurants and other shops.
Kappil Lake
Located about 4 kms north of Varkala this peaceful estuary snakes it sway through thick coconut groves before merging into the Arabian Sea. Boating is a great way to explore this placid waterway.
Anjeno Fort
Located near Varkala this fort has historical importance apart from being set in a beautiful natural surrounding. This is a great place to go walking around and explore what is in store.
Varkala Tunnel
This popular tourist attraction is a 924 feet long tunnel built by T. Mahadeva Rao, the Dewan of Travan core and took 14 years to complete.
Sivagiri Mutt: Founded by the philosopher and social reformer Sree Narayana Guru, this is a famous ashram in Varkala. The philisopher's tomb is also located here. This ashram attracts thousands of deveotees during the Sivagiri pilgrimage between December and January.
Sankara Devi Temple
This is a famous old temple near Varkala in Chirayinkeelzhu. This temple is famous for the Kaliyoot festival during the Malayalam month of Kumbham (March). Kuduvayil Juma Masjid
Situated on NH 47 between Kallambalam and Attingal, this is a famous Sunni pilgrimage which attracts local Muslims as well as Hindus.
Last Updated on : 24 August 2011
