Varkala, a coastal town, is situated around 50 km north of Thiruvananthapuram and 37 km south of Kollam. Varkala is a calm and quiet hamlet that has several places of tourist interests, the prominent ones being the Papanasam Beach, the Sivagiri Mutt and the Vishnu shrine dedicated to Lord Janardhana.

According to a myth, sage Narada was approached by a group of mendicants who confessed to having sinned. Narada threw his valkkalam (the bark of tree which the mythical sages used to wear) into the air, and the place where it landed was subsequently named Varkala. The mendicants were directed by Narada to offer their prayers in the newly created place by the seashore. The place where they prayed for redemption came to be known as the Papanasam Beach.

Varkala is a famous Hindu pilgrimage centre, being the eternal resting place of the eminent social reformer and philosopher, Sree Narayana Guru. Varkala is also a beautiful sea side resort with mineral water springs. A dip in the holy waters of the Papanasam Beach is believed to purge the body of impurities and the soul of all sins. Varkala offers excellent accommodation facilities for the tourists and is fast becoming a popular health resort with many ayurvedic massage centres.

Fairs and Festivals in Varkala

Arattu at Janardhana Swamy Temple

The Arattu festival at the Janardhana Swamy temple is celebrated every year in Meenam (March-April). The festival commences with Kodiyettu (flag hoisting) on Karthika day and ending with Arattu on Uthram day. The festival lasts for ten days. Thousands of devotees gather everyday to attend this festival. A colourful procession, led by caparisoned elephants in which ornamental silk umbrellas and peacock fans are carried, is one of the prominent features of this festival.

Janardhana Swamy Temple

The Janardhana Swamy temple at Varkala is situated on a very steep hill. This famous temple, which is believed to be almost 2,000 years old, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is a very good specimen of traditional South-Indian architecture. The circular building with a red-tiled roof houses the main shrine. Within the temple grounds, an old banyan tree contains within its trunk, images of ancient animistic snake deities. Non Hindus are not allowed to enter the inner sanctum of the Janardhana Swamy temple, but are allowed to walk around the sanctum and stroll around the huge banyan tree. The Arattu, celebrated every year in Meenam (March-April), is the main festival at the Janardhana Swamy temple. The temple attracts many devotees. The Janardhana Swamy temple is about 3 km form the Varkala railway station.
Location
Varkala,
How to get there
Nearest Bus Station:Varkala Bus Station
Nearest Railway Station:Varkala Railway Station
Nearest Airport:Trivandrum International Airport

Sivagiri Mutt

The Sivagiri Mutt was planned and designed by Sree Narayana Guru (1856 - 1928), a spiritual leader, renowned philosopher and social reformer of Kerala. Presently, the Sivagiri Mutt is the samadhi (memorial/ final resting place) of Sree Narayana Guru. The Sivagiri Mutt, built in 1904, is situated at the top of the Sivagiri hill near Varkala. Even decades after the guru breathed his last here in 1928; his samadhi continues to be thronged by thousands of devotees, donned in yellow attire, from different parts of Kerala and outside every year during the Sivagiri Pilgrimage days - 30th December to 1st January.

The Sivagiri Mutt is also the headquarters of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Sangham, a religious organization established by the Guru to propagate his concept of ‘One Caste, One Religion, One God'. The Guru Deva Jayanti, the birthday of the Guru, and the samadhi day are celebrated in August and September respectively every year. Colourful processions, debates and seminars, public meetings, cultural shows, community feasts, group wedding and rituals mark the celebrations.
Location
Varkala,
How to get there
Nearest Bus Station:Varkala Bus Station
Nearest Railway Station:Varkala Railway Station
Nearest Airport:Trivandrum International Airport

Resorts in Varkala

Golden Beach Resort
Golden Beach Resort is a heritage mansion situated on the south cliff of Varkala in Thiruvananthapuram District. Built in ancient Kerala architecture style of nalukettu, it offers 7 well-furnished rooms equipped with all modern amenities. All its rooms are bath attached and fitted with modern accessories. The resort has an Ayurvedic center, which offers massaging and various treatments. The nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport, 55 km away and the railhead is Varkala Railway Station.
South Cliff, Janardhanapuram, Varkala,
Phone: 0470-2609555

Hill Top Ayurvedic Beach Resort
Hill Top Ayurvedic Beach Resort is situated on a cliff at the Papanasam Beach in Varkala. The resort offers 26 well-equipped rooms with spectacular views of the surrounding nature for a relaxed and comfortable stay.

The multi-cuisine restaurant serves Indian, Tibetan, Tai, Japanese, Chinese and Continental cuisines. The ayurvedic health center offers various treatments. Other facilities and services include round-the-clock room service, doctor on call, laundry, currency exchange, self cooking facilities and travel desk.
Location
Papanasam Cliff, Varkala,
Tel: 0470-2601237
Fax:0470-2610443
Email :info@hilltopvarkala.com
Website:www.hilltopvarkala.com

Hill View Beach Resort
Hill View Beach Resort is located near the picturesque Varkala Beach. The resort offers 20 rooms, which include independent cottages, budget rooms and deluxe rooms, all with attached bath. By enjoying the scenic beauty of the sea, the guests can savor delicious Indian, continental and Italian cuisines from the restaurant. Typical Kerala style breakfast is also served. Traditional ayurvedic treatment facilities are also rendered. The resort also arranges backwater trips. Round the clock room service, travel arrangements and laundry service are the added conveniences.
North Cliff, Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram
Phone: 0470-2600566

Hotel Sea Pearl Chalets
Sea Pearl Chalets is a beach resort situated at the end of Beach Road in Varkala. The resort, overlooking the Arabian Sea, offers 10 twin-sharing well-equipped cottages. The kitchen serves breakfast. Some of the other facilities and services include laundry, ayurvedic treatments (on prior arrangement), currency exchange and travel desk. Sea Pearl Chalets is around 60 km from Trivandrum International Airport. The nearest railhead is Varkala Railway Station.
Papanasam, Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram
Phone: 0470-2605875

Nikhil Resort
Nikhil Resort is situated on Papanasam Beach road in Varkala. It offers a variety of clean and comfortable rooms. The rooms are furnished with standard amenities such as air-conditioner, cable TV and attached bath
Papanasam Beach Road, Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram
Phone: 0470-2605191

Palm Beach Resort
Palm Beach Resort is located near the exotic Varkala Beach. Magnificent views of the cliffs and beautiful white sandy beach can be enjoyed from the balcony of each room. The resort has 14 spacious rooms designed in traditional Kerala style. All rooms feature double bed and round the clock hot water facility. Rooms with air cooling facility are available. Rooms for budget travelers are also available. The restaurant serves traditional Kerala, Indian and Continental dishes. Palm Beach Resort offers specialized ayurvedic treatments and expert yoga classes. Tour arrangements, currency exchange and internet cafe are the other facilities available.
Location
Near Helipad, Varkala,
Tel: 0470-2795949
Email :info@palmbeachresort.net
Website:www.palmbeachresort.net

Panchavadi Beach Resort
Panchavadi Beach Resort is situated in between the famous Varkala Beach and the 2000 year old Janardhana Swamy Temple. The resort is an ideal place for leisure and comfortable lodging. The beach resort provides 24 spacious AC and non AC bath attached rooms with natural stone woven floors. The resort is carefully designed to provide the best of traditional Kerala hospitality and service. All rooms have round-the-clock hot water supply, bathtubs and bidets. The restaurant serves south and north Indian, Continental, Chinese and Italian dishes. Panchavadi Beach Resort arranges backwater trips and elephant rides. Motor bikes and bicycles are available for hire at the resort. Spacious parking facility, ayurvedic treatments, ticket reservations, laundry service and cloak room facility are the added conveniences.
Location
Beach Road, Varkala,
Tel: 0470-2600200
Email :info@panchavadi.com
Website:www.panchavadi.com

Preeth Beach Resort
Preeth Beach Resort, with two star facilities, is located close to the charming Papanasam Beach in Varkala. The resort, with its serene ambience, offers 13 standard and 6 deluxe rooms and 4 deluxe cottages. All rooms are spacious and equipped with television, telephone and attached bath. A cottage features a double bedroom, dressing room and an en-suite bathroom. Ethnic Indian and continental cuisines are served at the open air and indoor restaurants. The ayurvedic health center offers a wide range of traditional ayurvedic treatments. Boat trips and elephant rides are also arranged for the guests. Other services and facilities include swimming pool, laundry, round the clock room service, airline assistance, taxi rental and railway booking. Varkala, a coastal town, is 50 km from Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city.
Near Papanasam Cliff, Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram
Phone: 0470-2600942

Raja Park Resort
Raja Park is a beach resort in the picturesque backdrop of Papanasam coast in Varkala. For a memorable stay, the resort offers both AC and non AC cottages decorated with antique furniture. Indian, Chinese and continental dishes can be enjoyed from the restaurant. A wide range of beverages, desserts and snacks are also included in the menu. Traditional art and dance forms of Kerala are organized to entertain the guests. For rejuvenation and revitalization of body and mind, an array of traditional ayurvedic treatments and massaging facilities are offered. The resort also has excellent facilities for business, conferences and family get-togethers. Sight seeing tours, boat trips and house boat cruises on backwaters are also arranged.
Near Papanasam Clif, Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram
Phone: 0470-2607060

Sea Win Resort
Overlooking the charming Varkala Beach, Sea Win Resort offers AC and non AC well furnished sea facing resort rooms with balcony. Independent traditional huts with attached toilets are also available. All rooms feature TV and telephone. A choice of delicious Chinese, continental and Indian dishes are served in the restaurant. Experienced physicians and masseurs are available to provide traditional ayurvedic massage treatments. The resort also has excellent conference facilities.
Thiruvambadi, Varkala, Varkala
Phone: 0470-2611811

Taj Garden Retreat
Taj Garden Retreat is situated atop a majestic red cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea. It offers comfortable accommodation in 30 centrally air-conditioned suites and rooms. All rooms, ethnically built to regenerate the Kerala ambience, have guest amenities such as private balcony, international direct dial facility and colour television with satellite programmes. The Superior sea facing rooms have an open terrace that is perfect for viewing romantic sunsets. The suites come with a bedroom, living room and private balcony. The Cape Camorin restaurant serves sumptuous Indian, Continental and Chinese cuisines. The Sunken Bar serves delicious drinks and a variety of snacks from Indian, Continental, and Chinese cuisines. The Sunset Lounge is the perfect spot to watch the sea and enjoy a quick bite. The ayurvedic center offers traditional treatments and rejuvenation programs. The lawn can host receptions for up to 150 guests. Excellent banquet and conference facilities are available. Taj Garden Retreat assists in arranging water skis, motor boats, pedal boats and water scooters at Kappil Lake and also in conducting backwater cruises, elephant rides and sightseeing tours. Catering service is available for breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktail parties.
Location
Near Government Guest House, Varkala,
Tel: 0470-2603000
Fax:0470-2602296
Email :retreat.varkala@tajhotels.com

Web Site: www.tajhotels.com

Thiruvambadi Beach Retreat
Located close to the picturesque Varkala Beach, Thiruvambadi Beach Retreat is ideal for a perfect stay in Varkala. With unique Indian architecture, it offers a classic stay in ten well-appointed rooms. Guests can savor delicious cuisines at the rooftop restaurant. The tranquil atmosphere at the retreat is well-suited to perform yoga and meditation. Experts are available to offer traditional ayurvedic treatments. Laundry and two wheeler rental services are available. Apart from these, the retreat arranges houseboats and sightseeing tours.
North End Down Cliff, Thiruvambadi Road, Varkala, Varkala
Phone: 0470-2601028