Varkala Beach Tourism, Accommodations & Attractions
Varkala Beach is just 54 Km north from Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala. Varkala Beach, a thin stretch of sand is quiet and isolated. A towering cliff stands against the sandy expanse of the beach. The sunset at Varakala Beach is truly breathtaking with the sun giving the impression that it is sinking into the sky like a ball of molten gold. There is a very famous idol of Narayana Guru on the beach. A 2000 yr old Janardhana Swami temple is also found on the beach. However rampant constructions have taken a toll on the beach with Hotels and restaurants have mushroomed along the beachfront. A lot of foreigners come to this place in the months of November to March but Varkala is by no means a beach for swimming.
During a Varkala Tourism, the travelers can also think of visiting other destinations. Varkala Beach being so alone is also the best place for sporting activities. Dotted with lush green trees on the beach side, this Varkala beach is genuinely the place where all fantasies get its wings. Perhaps for honeymoon couples, Varkala is the place where the tired souls would get a new lease of life.
How to Reach Varkala Beach
The travelers can reach to this beach by taxi, auto rickshaws and bus. Varkala is well connected to Thiruvananthapuram. Thiruvananthapuram is the main center which also has the rail head, shares a link with the national highways and the Trivandrum airport act as a bridge which connects with the major cities of India. The details of different modes of transport are as follows:
How to Reach Varkala Beach by Airways: The nearest to this small town is Thriuvananthapuram airport which is 50 km away from Varkala and it takes 1 ¼ hours to reach the airport. Taxi to Varkala is Rs 1,050 approx.
How to Reach Varkala Beach by Railways: Varkala station, well connected to Kozhikode, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Alapuzha, Kollam and Thiruvananathapuram by the Malabar, Netravati, Trivandrum and Parashruram expresses. The Netravati and Kanyakumari expresses come daily from Mumbai. Another Kanyakumari express comes from Bangalore. Trivandrum Mail is a good option from Chennai. Kerala express is a good option from Chennai. Kerala express links Delhi to daily to Varkala.
How to Reach Varkala Beach by Road: Varkala is just 11 km off NH47, which runs from Salem to Kanyakumari, via Palakkad, Ernakulam(186km), Kollam(39km) and Thiruvananthapuram.
Things to Do at Varkala Beach
What makes Varakala truly special is that it offers all the pleasures of the more famous Kovalam, sans the chaos, crowds and hawkers. As if they were not enough, Varkala is fringed by serene backwaters, cool natural springs and solitary beaches. The waves of the Arabian Sea lash upon sacred ground, for here stand a 2,000 year old temple by the sea.
Varkala Beach Attractions
Temples: The temple in Varkala is believed to be two millennia old. The current structure is dated to the 12th century, though there are not many remnants testifying to this date. The shrine is accessed from the temple junction or from the beach, via the western junction. A perennial spring called Padmatheertham feeds the temple tank, which is to be seen across the road.
Papanasham Beach: The panorama of the crescent-shaped beach is heightened by the long stretch of red laterite cliffs. . It is advisable to stay away from the beach on new moon days, when it becomes crowded with pilgrims.
Thiruvambady Beach: The North cliff descends into the Thiruvambady or black sand beach, a short stretch for those seeking serenity and silence by the sea. It is possible to climb down from the North Cliff or drive a kilometer down the Thiruvamabady road.
Sivagiri Mutt: Sivagiri Mutt is spiraled on 200 acres of Sanctified land. This is the final resting place of Sree Narayana Guru, the most eminent spiritual leader and social reformer of Kerala. The Mahasamadhi of this revered guru is nestled on the hillock.
An Evening at Kathakali: Stop by the Varkala Cultural center behind the helipad, be heard is of the lapping waters of the lake. In accompaniment, the Kathakali dance performances are staged on most evenings during the season. Tickets for the performances cost RS 200.
Kappil Beach: This is the meeting point of the beach and the backwaters. Secluded and scenic, Kapil is a closely guarded secret. There are no tourists, vendors ors shops, and no traffic either. The only sound to be heard is of the lapping waters of the lake. In vicinity, the sea rolls across the sandbank. If you want to go for a boat ride in the backwaters that hug the sea, you can avail of the facilities offered by Priyadarshini boat club.
Note: Boating Rs 600 for 8 people per hour
Varkala Beach Accommodations
Varkala has plenty of hotels to choose from. Taj garden retreat is the most luxurious option. Located a kilometer away from the North Cliff, Taj has garden view rooms and sea view rooms. Its Ayurvedic center is best in the Varkala. The Golden Beach Resort on the South Cliff in Janardhanapura is an 80 year old mansion with direct access to the beach. The hill view Ayurvedic beach resort near the helipad offers the range of Ayurvedic treatments. There are varied range of hotels in Varkala which are blessed with well maintained rooms, serene ambience, 24 hours room service, hot and cold water service, attractive decors, satellite TV, and conditioned rooms. Some of the hotels in Goa have a Ayurveda center.
The sparkling blue sea shores of Varkala are definitely welcoming and getting an accommodation at luxury or budget Hotels in Varkala can be like a cherry on the cake. Ranked at 2nd number, Varkala Beach is amongst those marvelous Popular Beaches of Kerala where a visit with some one special can surely be something quiet enthralling. From travelers to honeymooners, Beaches in India are a delight to the senses and harbinger of happiness for the tired souls. Come and tie a knot of special nuptial connection with the emerald sea shores.
Around Varkala Beach
Anjengo was one of the most important bastions of the British East India Company, second only to Bomba. In 1690, the Attingal Rani allowed the British to build a fort here , and Anjengo was erected in 1695. It served as the first signaling station for ships arriving from England and functioned as a dept for the pepper and a coir trade. You can visit the gardens within and inspect the many tombstones, the earliest of which dates backs to 1704. Anjengo is South of Varkala via Kadakkavur.
