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In the off season it's really mellow and relaxed, swim and sleep and chill out. Only in December does it get really busy and prices start rocketing till January/February, when it starts to quieten down.
The main season starts from Dec 1st- March 31st, with December & early January experiencing the biggest rush. If you want to go out of season, then you can stay very cheaply and of course avoid the crowd. Varkala is quite a new place to hang out in India and has only been developed as a tourist destination in the last 2 years.
Getting There
By Plane
The closest International Airport from Varkala lies at Trivandrum which is around 50 km away. Taxis are available for Varkala.
By Train
Varkala is also connected by Rail Network. If coming from Trivandrum, the better option will be coming by Train. Almost all trains passing by stops at Varkala. From Varkala Railway Station, Taxis and Auto Rickshaws can be hired. Papanasam Beach is around 6km from Varkala Railway Station
By Road
There are regular buses to/from Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam that stop at Temple Junction. A taxi from Thiruvananthapuram direct to Varkala costs about Rs 550 (Rs 650 from Kovalam).
Tourist Spots in Varakala
Shree Janardhana Swamy Temple
It is 2000 years old. Varkala has been a Hindu pilgrimage site since the 12th Century. The Janardhana Temple was built during this period and many Hindu's still visit Varkala to this day, for this very reason. The Varkala sand has become an ideal spot for confluence of cultures exotic and alien. Varkala also houses a leading pilgrim centre in Kerala. The temple, dedicated to Vishnu and Hanuman, atop the hill has brought a sobriquet for the region, Southern Kasi (Benares). Non-Hindus are not permitted to enter the inner sanctum but can hang around the temple.
Sivagiri
Sree Narayana Guru (1855-1928), saint, social reformer, philosopher and leader of Ezhava community, made Varkala his headquarters. Sivagiri mutt, instituted by Sree Narayana Guru, is another major pilgrim centre here.
The 'Sivagiri Pilgrimage' is usually conducted between 30th December and 1st January every year. The Sivagiri Mutt - a religious retreat was founded by Sree Narayana Guru (1856 - 1928) the renowned philosopher and social reformer of modern Kerala.
Even decades after the Guru breathed his last here in 1928, his Samadhi (resting place) continues to be thronged by thousands of pilgrims.
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, and One God'
Papanasam Beach
The two km long cliff extends from the south, Papnasham beach, to the north to the Thiruvambady beach. Providing a stunning contrast is the blue hues of the water and sky. In brief, the scenic beauty of Varkala beach is almost mesmerizing.
Varkala beach is more than just beach for it carries along a religious as well as medicinal significance.
It is also one of the quietest beaches of Kerala and resembles Kovalam in its charm. However, the added attraction here is the lesser number of people which means more space with little dirt
Nature Care Centre: Papanasam.
Varkala Tunnel
Built by the British in 1880.
Fishing Hamlets
Fishing Hamlets of Anjengo and its British Fort. |
