A
quiet seaside destination on the shores of the Arabian
Sea, Varkala is, with each passing day, becoming a favorite
destination of tourists from various parts of India and
abroad.The beach offers a magnificent view of the sun
rise and sun set that few destinations in kerala boast
of.
Situated in Trivandrum district and 40 kms from the capital
city, Varkala is also an important Hindu pilgrimage center
being the eternal resting place of the eminent social
reformer Sri Narayana Guru.
This
secluded beach known as the Papanasham beach is a beautiful
picnic center. The High cliffs with mineral springs
rise majestically from the coastline giving the visitors
a spectacular view. The best time to visit the beach is
when the beach extends up to the very cliff face giving
an additional 500 meters of serene beach space. This happens
during the months of December/ January/February. The
other places of tourism atrraction include The Janardhana
Temple, Sivagiri Mutt, Anjengo Fort, Yoga, Ayurveda, &
Massage centres.
The
main festivals, Onam and Vishu are celebrated in a grandeur
manner. The Kathakali, Ottanthullal and music concerts
are performed in the surroundings of the old Devaswom
building during December and January.
It
is believed that a group of devout pilgrims
approached Narada, a saint of ancient times
and confessed to having sinned. Narada threw
his valkalam (cloth made out of the bark of
a tree) and it landed at a place near the seashore.
Thisplace was thus given the name 'varkala'.