Varkala

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It is believed that a Pandyan King was instructed by Lord Brahma to build a temple at this very place to redeem him of his sins. Several other myths abound on the birth of Varkala. Another legend states that when a group of pilgrims approached Sage Narada and told him that they had sinned, Narada threw his {{transliteration|hi|italic=no|valkalam}} (a loin cloth made from the bark of a tree) and it landed at this scenic village and hence, the place came to be known as Varkala. Narada told the pilgrims to pray for their redemption at Papanasam, which literally means redemption from sins.{{cite web | url=https://www.keralatourism.org/destination/varkala-beach/328/ | title=Varkala Beach | publisher=Kerala Tourism | access-date=20 November 2014}}

Varkala also holds the place in the ancient trade history, especially during the Shunga Dynasty. This place was known by the name of Balita in the ancient Greek manuscript called The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea. It was an ancient port for foreign traders as per the historical documents.

Varkala is located at {{Coord|8.7432986|N|76.6968401|E|}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/13/Varkkallai.html|title=Maps, Weather, and Airports for Varkkallai, India|website=www.fallingrain.com|access-date=1 March 2010|archive-date=5 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205232544/http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/13/Varkkallai.html|url-status=live}}

As per the Census 2011, the total Hindu population in Varkala municipality is 28,273 which is 70.6% of the total population. Also the total Muslim population in Varkala is 11,562 which is 28.87% of the total population.{{Cite web |title=Varkala Municipality City Population Census 2011-2024 {{!}} Kerala |url=https://www.census2011.co.in/data/town/803309-varkala-kerala.html |access-date=2024-07-12 |website=www.census2011.co.in}}

Varkala is an important place as far as geology is concerned as it exposes sedimentary rocks belonging to the Cenozoic age, popularly known in the geological literature as the Warkalli formation. The Warkalli formation, along with the Quilon formation, represent sediments laid down in the Kerala basin that existed during Mio-pliocene times. The Quilon formation of the Miocene age is made up of limestone, and the Warkalli formation is made up of alternating beds of sand and shale exposed along the Varkala cliffs. Thin seams of lignite in the shale of the Warkalli formation suggest good vegetation at the time of deposition of the clay sediments.{{cn|date=July 2023}}

Varkala is a municipality in the Thiruvananthapuram District. Urban civic administration is overseen by the Varkala municipality or municipal council, while the rural civic administration is under the charge of the 7 panchayats of Edava, Elakamon, Vettoor, Madavoor, Navaikulam, Pallickal, and Chemmaruthy in Varkala Taluk.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ceo.kerala.gov.in/thiruvananthapuram.html|title=CEO Kerala Govt}}

The Varkala municipality has 33 wards{{Cite web|url=http://gis.lsgkerala.gov.in/lbmap/varkalamunicipality/viewer.htm|title=Ward map}} under it and also has 6 standing committees{{Cite web|url=http://www.varkalamunicipality.in/standing-committees|title=Varkala Municipality Standing Committees}} that take care of basic amenities such as water, sewage, roads, taxes, and other such city or local government functions.

Varkala comes under the Attingal Lok Sabha Constituency. There are seven State Assembly Constituencies{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/all-7-assembly-segments-for-ldf-in-attingal/article6020206.ece|title=7 Assembly Constituencies for LDF in Attingal}} within Attingal Lok Sabha Constituency, of which Varkala is one. One Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) is elected from Varkala with Legislative Assembly no. 127.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mapsofindia.com/assemblypolls/kerala/varkala-assembly-constituency-map.html|title=Maps of India}}

Varkala is a well-known tourism and commercial destination. More than 300 resorts and hotels are situated in the municipality, including a Taj Hotel, owned by Tata Group. The city has an average-rated water supply system, fire station, automobile showrooms, several post offices, engineering and degree colleges and a police station. It also has government-run medical facilities in addition to over 10 private hospitals and clinics. A government-run naturopathic hospital is located near the Papanasam cliff. The District Ayurvedic Hospital is located in Varkala.{{cn|date=July 2023}}

Air

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (39 km) is the nearest airport and is well connected with all major cities in India and Abroad and there is also a helipad at Varkala Cliff.

Rail

Varkala Railway Station, the second busiest and third highest revenue-generating station in Thiruvananthapuram district, is well connected by regular trains from and to major metropolitan cities in India like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad, Goa, Kolkata, Vishakapatnam, etc.

Road

Varkala is situated along the Thiruvananthapuram - Kollam coastal highway. It is also connected by the State Highway 64 with the Mumbai-Kanyakumari National Highway 66 which runs at 9 km towards the east. Private buses and KSRTC buses ply along NH 66 and through Varkala from Thiruvananthapuram city, Attingal, Parippally, and Kollam city.

Water

Varkala is connected to National Waterway 3 through Varkala Tunnel, which passes through the heart of the city.

{{cite web|url=http://www.keralapwd.gov.in/getPage.php?page=maps&pageId=248|title=Kerala PWD - State Highways|publisher=Kerala State Public Works Department|access-date=26 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101201055331/http://www.keralapwd.gov.in/getPage.php?page=maps&pageId=248|archive-date=1 December 2010|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

File:Varkala Promenade.jpg

Tourism began to thrive at the end of the last century at Varkala beach (Papanasam), which was earlier famous for Vavu Beli, a Hindu custom performed at the beach. Another beach is at Tiruvambadi,{{Cite web |title=Thiruvambady Beach at Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram {{!}} Kerala Tourism |url=https://www.keralatourism.org/destination/thiruvambady-beach-varkala/278/ |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=www.keralatourism.org |language=en}} one kilometre away and on the way to the old palace. An island called Ponnumthuruthu is close to Varkala and is also a tourist attraction.{{Cite web |title=Ponnumthuruthu Island near Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram, {{!}} Kerala Tourism |url=https://www.keralatourism.org/destination/ponnumthuruthu-island-thiruvananthapuram/248/ |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=www.keralatourism.org |language=en}}

Many ayurvedic massage parlours line the promenade above the beach.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}

Varkala Beach, or Papanasam Beach, offers opportunities for sunbathing, swimming and water sports opportunities. Special authentic Kerala style local food can also be experienced along the cliff.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}} The cliff and the beach include resorts, restaurants, and other shops.

The black part of the sand on Varkala Beach contains thorium oxide, which is a radioactive substance. Thorium and thorium oxide and its isotopes are found all over Kerala and can be identified by their black colour.{{cite web|url=http://www.explorra.com/destinations/kerala_20458 |title=Kerala |publisher=Explorra.com |access-date=2013-10-20}} File:Papanasam beach, Varkala.jpg

Sections of Varkala Beach (Papanasam Beach) are used by Indians to scatter the ashes of their cremated relatives into the sea. Despite this burial activity, the sea is popular with swimmers both local and foreign.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}

{{main|Kappil, Thiruvananthapuram}}

File:Edava Nadayara Lake.JPG]]

Kappil Lake is about {{convert|4|km|mi|sp=us}} north of Varkala Town. This serene estuary meanders through dense coconut groves before merging into the Arabian Sea. The bridge over the lake is a vantage point to view the backwater stretching white and grey to the distant blue horizon. Boating is another way to browse this waterway.{{cn|date=July 2023}}

Anjengo Fort is a fort near Varkala. The historic significance tagged to Anjengo comes through foreign powers like the Portuguese, the Dutch, and finally the English East India Company. In the year 1684, the English East India Company chose Anjengo to establish their first trade settlement in Kerala. At Anjengo, one can find the remnants of the old English Fort, which was targeted several times by other foreign powers, who were at that time fighting each other to get a firm footing in Kerala. The fort is now under the protection of National Heritage Monuments. There is also a cemetery inside the fort and the oldest burial site dates to 1704. Muthalapuzhi Lake is situated in Anjengo.{{cn|date=July 2023}}

File:Varkala Tunnel.jpg

Varkala Tunnel is an old tourist highlight. Its construction began in 1867 under the supervision of Travancore Diwan Sir. T Mahadeva Rao and was completed only in 1880, at the time of Diwan Sheshaya Sasthri.{{Cite web|title=Varkala tunnel, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India|url=https://www.keralatourism.org/varkala/varkala-tunnel.php|access-date=2021-02-22|website=Kerala Tourism - Varkala|language=en}} Varkala Lighthouse is another tourist highlight in the vicinity.{{cn|date=July 2023}}

File:Janardanaswamy Temple Pond.jpg

File:Sivagiri (1).jpg

Janardana Swami Temple is a very important Vaishnavite shrine and attracts thousands of pilgrims. The temple is about 2,000 years old. Facing the temple is Papasnanam Beach, where devotees take a bath in the belief that the sacred waters will wash away their sins. A large bell washed up from the wreck of a Dutch merchant vessel is kept on display at the temple.{{cn|date=July 2023}}

Sivagiri Mutt is a famous ashram in Varkala, founded by the philosopher and social reformer Sree Narayana Guru. Sree Narayana Guru's tomb is also located here. The samadhi (the final resting place) of the Guru attracts thousands of devotees every year during the Sivagiri pilgrimage, from December 30 to January 1. The Sivagiri Mutt, built in 1904, is situated at the top of the Sivagiri hill in Varkala. The Sivagiri Mutt is also the headquarters of the Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham, an organization of his disciples and saints, established by the Guru to propagate his concept of 'One Caste, One Religion, One God'. The Guru Deva Jayanti, the birthday of the Guru, and the samadhi day, are celebrated in August and September respectively every year. Colourful processions, debates and seminars, public meetings, cultural shows, community feasts, group weddings, and rituals mark the celebrations.{{cn|date=July 2023}}

Panayara Triporittakkavu Bhagavathi Temple is one of the most famous Devi temples in Kerala.

Meenabharani festival is the primary festival in Porittakkavu temple, celebrating the month of 'Meenam' (March/April) in the Malayalam calendar.{{cn|date=July 2023}}

Sarkara Devi Temple is an old temple situated near Varkala at Chirayinkeezhu. The temple is famous for the Kaliyoot festival on the Malayalam month of Kumbham (March).{{cn|date=July 2023}}

The Sree Saraswathy Temple, located in Venkulam, Edava, is a VidyaDevi temple known for Navarathri Sangeetholsavam and Vijayadesami Vidyarambam.{{cn|date=July 2023}}

Kaduvayil Juma mosque, situated on NH47, between Kallambalam and Attingal, is a Sunni pilgrimage centre which attracts local Muslims.{{cn|date=September 2024}}

Mambazhamoola Mahaganapathi Kshethram is a renowned Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha located in Varkala-Ayroor, Kerala; it is believed to be one of the oldest Ganesha temples in the region and holds a special place in the hearts of devotees who flock to seek blessings and solace from Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity.{{cn|date=September 2024}}

The Köppen-Geiger climate classification system classifies Varkala's climate as tropical monsoon. It has heavy rains during June–August due to a southwest monsoon. In summer, the temperature rises to a maximum of {{convert|32|°C}} and {{convert|31|°C}} in the winters. The highest temperature recorded in neighbouring Thiruvananthapuram is {{convert|39|°C}}. Annual average rainfall is {{convert|3100|mm|abbr=on}}.{{cn|date=July 2023}}

{{Weather box

|metric first=yes

|single line=yes

|location=Varkala

|Jan high C=29.9

|Feb high C=30.7

|Mar high C=31.7

|Apr high C=31.8

|May high C=31.3

|Jun high C=29.1

|Jul high C=28.6

|Aug high C=28.9

|Sep high C=29.3

|Oct high C=29.3

|Nov high C=29.1

|Dec high C=29.3

|Jan mean C=26.1

|Feb mean C=26.9

|Mar mean C=28.1

|Apr mean C=28.6

|May mean C=28.2

|Jun mean C=26.5

|Jul mean C=25.9

|Aug mean C=26.2

|Sep mean C=26.5

|Oct mean C=26.5

|Nov mean C=26.2

|Dec mean C=26

|Jan low C=22.4

|Feb low C=23.2

|Mar low C=24.5

|Apr low C=25.4

|May low C=25.2

|Jun low C=23.9

|Jul low C=23.3

|Aug low C=23.5

|Sep low C=23.7

|Oct low C=23.7

|Nov low C=23.4

|Dec low C=22.7

|precipitation colour=green

|Jan precipitation mm=19

|Feb precipitation mm=27

|Mar precipitation mm=52

|Apr precipitation mm=144

|May precipitation mm=248

|Jun precipitation mm=457

|Jul precipitation mm=336

|Aug precipitation mm=222

|Sep precipitation mm=201

|Oct precipitation mm=290

|Nov precipitation mm=205

|Dec precipitation mm=55

|Jan rain days=1

|Feb rain days=2

|Mar rain days=3

|Apr rain days=8

|May rain days=10

|Jun rain days=19

|Jul rain days=17

|Aug rain days=14

|Sep rain days=11

|Oct rain days=12

|Nov rain days=8

|Dec rain days=3

|Jand sun=9

|Febd sun=9

|Mard sun=8

|Aprd sun=8

|Mayd sun=7

|Jund sun=5

|Juld sun=5

|Augd sun=6

|Sepd sun=6

|Octd sun=6

|Novd sun=6

|Decd sun=7

|source 1 = Climate-Data.org{{cite web|title=Climate: Varkala - Climate graph, Temperature graph, Climate table|url=http://en.climate-data.org/location/54660/|publisher=Climate-Data.org|access-date=27 August 2013}}

|source 2 = Weather2Travel{{cite web|title=Varkala Climate and Weather Averages, Kerala|url=http://www.weather2travel.com/climate-guides/india/kerala/varkala.php|publisher=Weather2Travel|access-date=27 August 2013}} for sunshine and rainy days

}}

• Kovalam lighthouse beach

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{{Kerala}}

{{Municipalities of Kerala}}

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Category:Tourist attractions in Thiruvananthapuram

Category:Cities and towns in Thiruvananthapuram district

Category:Populated coastal places in India