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Varkala is a seaside resort and spa. 54 km from Thiruvananthapuram City.
It is also an important Hindu centre of pilgrimage. The final resting place
of the great social reformer, Sree Narayana Guru, is near Varkala atop ahill
called sivagiri. High cliffs with with mineral springs rise majestically from
coastline.
According to a myth sage Narada was approached by group of mendicants who
confessed to have sinned. Narada threw his Valkkalam (cloth made of the bark
of the tree) into the air and the place where it landed was subsequently named
Varkala. The 2000 year old Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple and the Nature Care
Centre are the two main attraction here.
Varkala, a calm and quiet hamlet, lies on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram district. It has several places of tourist interests like a beautiful beach, a 2000-year-old Vishnu temple and the Ashram- 'Sivagiri Mutt' a little distance from the beach. At the serene Varkala beach is a quiet sea resort rich in mineral water springs. A dip in the holy waters at this beach is believed to purge the body of impurities and the soul of all sins. Hence the name 'Papanasam beach'. A two thousand year old shrine the Janardhana swami Temple stands on the cliffs overlooking the beach, a short distance away. The Sivagiri Mutt founded by the great Hindu reformer and Philosopher Sree Narayana Guru (1856 - 1928) is also close by. The Samadhi (the final resting place) of the Guru here attracts thousands of devotees every year during the Sivagiri Pilgrimage days - 30th December to 1st January. Sree Narayana Guru propagated the ideology:" one caste, one religion and one god", in a society torn by the taboos of cas te system. Varkala offers excellent accommodation facilities for the tourist and is fast becoming a popular health resort with many Ayurvedic massage centers.
Climate: Min 28o C - Max 33o C
Best Season: October to May
Accessibility
Access by Air
Nearest Airport is Thiruvananthapuram International airport, nearly 57 km away.
Access by Rail
Nearest railway station is Varkala.
| 3 Days |
| Day 01 Arrive
Varkala |
Varkala: Lies 54 kms north of Thiruvananthapuram. This beautiful expanse of
beach is flanked by thousands of palm trees and red laterite cliffs that border
the beach just dramatically into the sea. Overnight Stay in Taj Garden Retreat(Taj
Goups of Hotel). From this Hotel atop terraced cliffs with a stunning view of
the coastile. This resort moulds itself harmoniously with the inclined landscape
of Varkala Beach.
Full day free for leisure activities. Overnight stay in Varkala.
Leave Varkala for onward destination.
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