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Home ❯ Travel ❯ Destinations

Varkala

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VARKALA TOURISM

Varkala in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala offers relatively untouched and clean beaches that are increasingly difficult to find in the state. Situated 51 km north of Thiruvananthapuram and 37 km south of Kollam, Varkala is also a pilgrimage center for Hindus. The 2000-year-old Janardhana Swamy Temple is located in Varkala and thousands of Hindus converge on Papanasam Beach on Karkidavavu Bali held during the Malayalam month of Karkitakam (July-August) to pray for their ancestors.

Several myths abound about the construction of Varkala temple and the town. According to one myth, the temple was constructed by a Pandyan King at the instructions of Lord Brahma as a penance for his sins. According to another legend, when a group of people requested the sage Narada to show them a way to get rid of their sins, Narada threw his valkalam (loin cloth made from tree bark). The place where the valkalam landed, came to be known as Varkala. Narada told the pilgrims to pray for their redemption at Papanasam, which literally means redemption from sins.

Since Varkala beach has very strong currents and there have been instances where even experienced swimmers have been swept away, it is advised that children should not be allowed to enter the water alone. Varkala is generally a laidback beach town. Things to do in Varkala are limited to spending time on the beach or tasting fresh catch from the sea.

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN VARKALA

Varkala offers a plethora of options to stay. Budget hotels, resorts, luxury hotels and homestays are available to suit every budget. Some of the homestays are located close to the beach. While several homestays offer en-suite bathrooms, WiFi connectivity, ayurvedic massages and easy access to the beach, some even offer yoga classes. Budget hotels and homestays are priced under Rs 1000, tariffs at mid-range hotels start at Rs 1500.

BEST PLACES TO EAT IN VARKALA

Varkala offers a lot in terms of places to eat. However, most of the places to eat are seasonal and spring up during the tourist season. Being a beach town, Varkala is a sea-food lover’s paradise. Many restaurants and eateries display seafood caught by the local fishermen. You can select your food, get it prepared and savor it while watching the sunset.

While the ubiquitous Kerala food is easy to find, one can also find restaurants offering Continental, Mexican, Italian and even Tibetan cuisines. Thattukadas (street vendors) are also a common sight and some offer the best porotta and beef curry.

BEST TIME TO VISIT VARKALA

The average minimum and maximum temperature of Varkala is as given below. The best time to visit Varkala is also specified.

MONTH BEST TIME MIN. TEMP (°C)MAX. TEMP (°C)
JanuaryBest time2332
FebruaryBest time2432
MarchBest time2532
April2633
May2632
June2430
July2429
August2430
September2430
OctoberBest time2430
NovemberBest time2431
DecemberBest time2332

Place to visit in VARKALA

All Historical Temples Cultural History tradition Cultural Religious Forts Lakes Nature Islands

Janardhana Swamy Temple

The Janardhana Swamy temple in Varkala is a 2000-year old Vishnu temple and a major…

Varkala Cultural Centre

Kathakali performances are organised at the Varkala cultural centre every evening during tourist season. The…

Sivagiri

Sivagiri is a pilgrimage centre in Varkala, where social reformer and sage Sree Narayana Guru's…

Anjengo Fort and Lighthouse

Anjengo Fort also known as Anchuthengu Fort and the lighthouse are certainly worth a visit.…

View all places to visit in VARKALA

THINGS TO DO IN VARKALA

All Adventure Shopping

Surfing

There are various surfing tours as well as packages offered in Varkala. The UK outfit…

Shopping in Varkala

Although Varkala is not a major shopping destination, shops stock products for the visiting tourist.…

View all things to do in VARKALA

Articles About VARKALA

  • Love Surfing? These 5 Places in India Have Great Waves to Surf!

    The pristine beaches of India are one of the major tourist attractions.

    Bhagyashri Pawar February 21, 2015, 11:39 am IST

  • India's Diverse Landscape Can be Viewed Through These 10 Beautiful Photos

    One of the greatest things about traveling in India is that you will experience a different kind of terrain, culture, style of clothing, language and…

    Dilip Merala March 10, 2015, 5:14 pm IST

  • Forts Built by The British in India That You Can Still See Even Today

    These forts built by the British in India stand today as a symbol of one of the most important eras of Indian history.

    Anoop Menon April 3, 2017, 4:30 pm IST

  • Here Are 5 Reasons Why Kerala is Indeed God's Own Country!

    This beautiful land is rightly called paradise, with its lush green scenic landscapes and crystal clear waters.

    Bhagyashri Pawar March 20, 2015, 9:30 pm IST

  • Varkala Beach is a Delight During This Time of The Year

    Varkala Beach is a Delight During This Time of The Year

    Charu Chowdhary December 28, 2018, 11:29 am IST

  • 4 Beaches on The Southwestern Shores of India That Call For a Vacation

    One of the greatest gifts to mankind is the gift of nature. Even the mere thought of living in a world with our hills and…

    Charu Chowdhary October 9, 2018, 11:37 am IST

  • PM to address 2 events via video conference on Dec 31, Jan 1

    New Delhi, Dec 30 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address two events -- 85th Sivagiri Pilgrimage Celebrations tomorrow, and the commemoration of professor Satyendra…

    PTI Feeds December 30, 2017, 9:26 pm IST

  • Varkala photo tour - A walk through the serene coastal town of Kerala

    Varkala is one of the most beautiful coastal towns in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala. If one wants a peaceful vacation, Varkala is the place to…

    Bhagyashri Pawar June 12, 2015, 9:03 pm IST

  • Top 10 free things to do in India!

    Someone has rightly said that some of the best things in life are free. It is indeed true, if you know what to do and…

    Bhagyashri Pawar May 5, 2015, 3:30 pm IST

  • 5 reasons why you should visit Varkala in Kerala!

    Kerala, popularly known as God’s own land is one of the most beautiful states in India. Sandy beaches, waving palms, backwaters, mountains and of course…

    Bhagyashri Pawar October 15, 2014, 1:04 pm IST

View all articles about VARKALA

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Featured Articles on Varkala

Love Surfing? These 5 Places in India Have Great Waves to Surf!

India's Diverse Landscape Can be Viewed Through These 10 Beautiful Photos

Forts Built by The British in India That You Can Still See Even Today

Here Are 5 Reasons Why Kerala is Indeed God's Own Country!

Varkala Beach is a Delight During This Time of The Year

4 Beaches on The Southwestern Shores of India That Call For a Vacation

PM to address 2 events via video conference on Dec 31, Jan 1

Varkala photo tour - A walk through the serene coastal town of Kerala

Destination Themes

  • Historical Places in Varkala
  • Temples in Varkala
  • Cultural Places in Varkala
  • History in Varkala
  • tradition in Varkala
  • Religious Places in Varkala
  • Forts in Varkala
  • Lakes in Varkala

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