Varkala
From World travel guide
Varkala is a town in the Indian state of Kerala, about 40km north of Trivandrum and is home of the popular Papanasam Beach. Also, the Samadhi of Kerala's saint Sree Narayana Guru is situated in this town and hence has become a place of pilgrimage.
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Understand
If you're looking for beaches and are fed up with the crowds and prices at Kovalam, then its well worth checking out Varkala. The best times to go, are of course in the season, when the beach extends out all around the cliff face for 500 meters.
The beaches around this area are excellent and if you're looking for a cheap holiday Varkala should definitely be on your list. In the off season its 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.
Climate
Average temperature in Varkala in Celsius.
- Summer(Humid): Mar - May: 25°c-33°c / Summer Max: 35°c.
- Monsoon(Cloudy): Jun-mid - Sep: 21°c-27°c / Winter Min: 15°c.
- Winter(Pleasant): Sep - Feb: 22°c-28°c.
- Rainfall: 310 cm.
Get in
By car
- Varkala is linked by state and national highways to all the major cities in Kerala, Tamilnadu and Karnataka.
By plane
- The nearest International Airport is Trivandrum.
By bus
- State Transport Buses are available from Trivandruma.
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, Taxies and Auto Rickshaws can be hired. Papanasam Beach is around 6 kilometres from Varkala Railway Station.
See
- 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 sands 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, One God'
- Nature Care Centre. Papanasam.
- East West University of Brahmavidya. Established by Guru Nitya Chaitanya Yati, Disciple of Nataraja Guru.
- Narayana Gurukula. Established by Nataraja Guru.
- Varkala Tunnel. Built by the British in 1880.
- Fishing Hamlets of Anjengo and its British Fort.
- Coir Processing Centres. In the Backwaters of Akathumuri, Kadakkavur.
Do
Learn
- Sree Narayana College.
Buy
Eat
The only Fancy restaurant available at Papanasam/Varkala is in the Taj Garden Retreat. Almost all Hotels and Resorts have room service. There are lots of Restaurants at the Cliff. Most of them and places-to-eat in the Cliff are seasonal and spring up during the season.
Vegetarian Food is available at Hotel Suprabhatham, the only 100% Vegetarian Restaurant in Varkala.
Drink
There are 3 or 4 bars which serve booze.
- KTDC's Beer Parlour. Located at Puthanchanda, 6 Kms from Papanasam.
- The Restaurants at Cliff also serve Beer.
Sleep
Variety of accommodation is available near the Cliff and the Beach. Accommodation ranges from 4 star hotels to Budget Hotels.
- Taj Garden Retreat. Fancy Taj Hotels' 4 star property.
- Preeth Beach Resort.
- The Royal Mount. Ayurvedic Resort(For more info call +91-470-2660037)
- Seapearls Chalets. Located at the Cliff offering fabulous views.
- Hill View Beach Resort. spacious and clean rooms on the cliff
- Prathibha Park. Located at Helipad, good view and easy access to the beach
Cope
Hospitals
- Sree Narayana Medical Mission Hospital.
- J.R.Hospital.
- Varkala Government Hospital. Situated near the beach, but better to avoid!
Travel Agency/Help Desk/Money Exchange
- Babu's Travels. The Cliff, Papanasam. - Ask for Mr.Babu (Thilakan)
- S.L Associates. Maithanam, Varkala. - Ask for Mr.Sateesh Lal
External Links
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