Varkala is a seaside tourist resort and spa. A small town 55km north of Thiruvananthapuram, it is also an important religious place for the Hindus.
The Papanasam Beach at Varkala is a quiet, secluded beach known for its white, silvery stretch of sand, mineral springs and rocky cliffs. Varkala is also an important Hindu centre of pilgrimage. The final resting place of Sree Narayana Guru, the great social reformer of Kerala, is near Varkala atop a hill named Sivagiri. High cliffs from mineral springs majestically rise is a scene typical of
Varkala.
According to a myth, sage Narada was approached by a group of mendicants who confessed to having sinned. Narada threw his valkkalam (the bark of tree which the mythical sages used to wear) into the air, and the place where it landed was subsequently named Varkala. The mendicants were directed by Narada to offer their prayers in the newly created place by the seashore. The place where they prayed for redemption came to be known as the Papanasham Beach ('Papanasham' means redemption from sins).
Varkala beach also known as the
Papanasham beach is a long serene crystal clear sandy beach
with a magical attraction. It is very quiet, clean and secluded too.
The background of this natural beauty is surrounded by the green
cliffs and of course you are offered with some sacred calming
mineral springs too.
This seaside destination on the shores of the Arabian Sea,
relentlessly attracting tourists all over the world and becoming a
favorite one which offers a magnificent view of the sun rise and sun
set among the few destinations in Kerala boast of.
The area is covered with coconut palms and small restaurants that
mushroom during the season. This beach is bordered by high cliffs.
Right below this cliff is the 500 -metre stretch beach. So, it is a
perfect place for one to watch the sunset or relax gazing at the
horizon.
Compared to other prominent beaches, Varkala is fortunate in that it
is less crowded, has fewer number of shops and beach sellers and
still lesser amount of commercialization. Here one could swim, play
cricket, volley ball and even manage to practice yoga. And if you
are that lucky, you get a rare chance to sight a naughty dolphin.
Accommodation is very cost effective when you compared with the
hi-fi hotels of Kovalam and other tourist places and you can reside
in home stays too. It is very cheap and comfortable too unlike the
hotels. Home stays are providing homely food too according to your
wish and tastes.
Varkala is a seaside tourist resort and spa. A small town 55km north of Thiruvananthapuram, it is also an important religious place for the Hindus. 
resting place of Sree Narayana Guru, the great social reformer of Kerala, is near Varkala atop a hill named Sivagiri. High cliffs from mineral springs majestically rise is a scene typical of
Varkala.
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