On the outskirts of the Thiruvananthapuram district is the peaceful hamlet of Varkala. It has a beautiful beach, a Vishnu Temple that has been around for 2000 years, and the Ashramam – Sivagiri Mutt, which is not far from the beach.
Varkala’s Papanasam Beach, also known as Varkala Beach, is known for its natural spring. It is ten kilometers away from Varkala. which is thought to have healing and medicinal properties. It is believed that taking a dip in the holy waters at this beach will cleanse the soul and body of all sins; thus the name ‘Papanasam Ocean side’.
The Janardhanaswamy Temple, a two thousand-year-old shrine, can be found just a short distance away on the cliffs that overlook the beach. The great religious reformer and philosopher Sree Narayana Guru (1856–1928) established the Sivagiri Mutt, which is also nearby. During the Sivagiri Pilgrimage days, from December 30 to January 1, this Samadhi—the Guru’s final resting place—attracts thousands of devotees annually. The ideology was propagated by Sree Narayana Guru: one position, one religion and one God”, in a general public torn by the restrictions of standing framework.
Varkala is a well-known health resort with numerous Ayurvedic massage centers and excellent tourist lodging options.
Activities at Varkala Beach
Varkala Beach’s golden sand is ideal for a typical beach vacation and offers a wide range of exciting activities for all travelers. You can enjoy the pristine beauty of this charming destination by sightseeing and sunbathing, but you can also do the following:
1. Windsurfing, parasailing, paragliding, and snorkeling are just a few of the thrilling adventure sports you can participate in. Varkala Beach’s surfing is just the thing for you if you want to skim the Arabian Sea. You can lease great quality riding gear from Surf and Soul school and head onto your own little experience.
2. The renowned Yoga and Ayurveda centers in this area offer relaxing Ayurvedic and yoga treatments if you want to spend quality time alone. Contemplation and mindfulness meetings are consistently held here which are a much needed reprieve from the pressure and uneasiness of day to day existence.
Art and creative workshops are also available here in addition to these.
3. Don’t forget to try some delicious local seafood dishes at one of the many small-time shacks nearby. They’re easy to find here.
How To Reach Varkala Beach
51 km north of Thiruvananthapuram city in Thiruvananthapuram district and 37 km south of Kollam, south Kerala.
The small town of Varkala, which is mostly 3 km inland, is easy to get around. One can without much of a stretch recruit an auto-cart to drive between the spots. Other than that, investigating the put by walking is additionally very well known among the sightseers.