Varkala Beach Popularly known as Papanasam Beach
A popular sea side destination, Varkala, has an international reputation thanks to its picturesque red laterite cliff that rise majestically from its coastline. With the blue cool sea and the sun-kissed shores, the beach creates a perfect ambience for playing in the surf and soaking up some sun. It is the only place in southern Kerala where cliffs are found adjacent to the Arabian Sea.
Varkala is also a popular religious centre. For the believer, this beach popularly known by the name, Papanasam is a paradise that washes away all the sins. Composed backwaters, natural mineral springs and isolated cloves make this place unique. Varkala has other tourist spots like the famous 2000-year-old Janardhana Swami Temple and Sivagiri Mutt, the final resting place of the social reformer, Sree Narayana Guru, atop a hill called Sivagiri. Varkala offers one with both adventure and tourism options such as like boat rides, horse rides, parasailing etc.
Varkala Tunnel is a popular tourist destination in Varkala. Sir T. Madhava Rao the Diwan of Travancore took 14 years to build this 924 ft long tunnel. Ponnumthuruthu Island or the Golden Island is a celebrated tourist spot in Varkala. One can reach the island by taking a boat from Nedunganda. The lush island with an enchanting atmosphere is enriched with vibrant varieties of flora and fauna. The boat jetty at Nedunganda village from where the journey to Ponnumthuruthu starts itself is peculiar. It is a makeshift jetty and the walkway to the ferry is made up of coconut husk, mud and the waste from coir.
The Varkala cliff is a rare and unique geographical characteristic. These Cenozoic sedimentary formation cliffs are also known among geologists as Varkala Formation and a geological monument as declared by the Geological Survey of India. A well maintained aquarium with exotic species including piranha, sea snakes, scorpion fish and the local karimeen is another tourist attraction.
A Special cover was issued by Kerala Postal Circle on Varkala beach on 25 Jul 2017. The Cover and cancellation carry a beautiful illustration of the beach. Cover No KL-23/2017.
Best time to visit:
Your experience in beaches will vary according to the season, so before you visit Varkala, you should have a better understanding of their climate. The climate of Varkala is tropical and full of humidity nearly all the time of year. Monsoon brings a heavy amount of rainfall to this place, and you’ll not get the experience you’re expecting if you visit in rainy season. Monsoon starts from June to August and from late October to December, these periods experience a heavy amount of rainfall.Summers are accompanied by a high temperature around 35-degree Celsius and a feeling of stickiness with high humidity. Summers starts around in April and last until May.
Between the heavy rainfall of Monsoon and burning sunshine of summer, there is a time period between late December and March. This time period has the best experience of Varkala beach, with a temperature range around 30-degree Celsius. You can enjoy the Dry and sunny weather every day between late December and March.
Places to Visit in & around Varkala beach:
Janardhana Swami Temple – Nothing can provide a fruitful feeling of worship to a true believer than an old heritage temple. Janardhana Swami temple is one such heritage temple in Varkala. This 2000 years old temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu. All the heritage and traditional beliefs of Varkala people and Lord Vishnu worshiper are kept alive with this traditional Janardhana Swami Temple. Though it’s old, you can find a lot more valuable insight into Kerala’s tradition back in time
Temple timing varies according to the season. There is a must visit of the temple in the time of aarti, where you refresh your soul to its purest form. An old tree in the temple campus adds additional beauty to the overall aura of the temple’s environment.
The Sivagiri Mutt – It is an Ashram, spreading across the 200 acres of land on the top of Sivagiri Hill. This Ashram is dedicated to the name of Shree Narayana Guru. He was a social reformer who stood for equality and firmly believed the importance of one religion, one caste and one god for humanity to achieve integrity and prosperity to humankind.
Varkala Lighthouse – It is slightly far from the Varkala city with a distance of nearly 13.8 km. Travelling on the way to the lighthouse will let you accumulate peaceful experience of seeing A Line palm trees and Kerala backwater. As Varkala is a village, you can nearly experience every possible life experience offered by a village. Climb up the lighthouse to have a look at the beautiful landscape of Varkala and nearby places comprises of sea, Lakes and Trees to freshen up your soul.
Anchengo Fort – It’s a British colonial fort built by East India Company. Although, there is no any Sought after thing to see in the fort but it’s worth a visit. If you’re history enthusiast, never miss that opportunity to see the fort as Varkala has some long back history. As it is near the lighthouse, you don’t have to plan it separately.
Sivagiri Tunnel – Spreading across the length of more than 1 km, Sivagiri tunnel was used as a Transport mode back in the pre-independence era. It’s also known as Varkala Tunnel. Visiting this Tunnel will help you to acquire days back knowledge of Kerala’s architectural advancement.
Varkala Cliff Viewpoint – Hill cliff is one of its kind in the Varkala. What could give you a more clear and concise view of nature than a cliff view Point? Varkala cliff viewpoint provides a beautiful picturesque view of beaches and its nearby landscape to have a soothing experience of nature.
How to reach varkala beach
Varkala is located in the state of Kerala and is well-connected with Thiruvananthapuram. Thiruvananthapuram in turn is accessible from all major parts of India by road, rail and air. Varkala is visited by several tourists all year round. Here is how to reach Varkala:
BY AIR
Nearest airport is at Thiruvananthapuram located around 45 km away from the beach town. It caters to over 40 international and national flights and over a thousand passengers every day. Flights connect Thiruvananthapuram to many major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi (Cochin), Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. It is also connected by flight to several destinations in Middle East. Pre-paid taxis are available from the airport to Varkala.
BY TRAIN
Varkala lies on the rail line connecting Thiruvananthapuram to Ernakulam. However, all trains do not stop at the station. Thiruvananthapuram is the major rail head close to Varkala. Thiruvananthapuram is connected by rail to several Indian cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Bengaluru. Taxis can be hired from the railway station to Varkala.
BY ROAD
The state-government run KSRTC plies buses regularly from Thiruvananthapuram. Tourists coming from Kochi can board a bus to Thiruvananthapuram and get down at Attingal to catch a connecting bus to Varkala. Buses can get crowded and the journey can get a tad tedious.
