Dreams Beach Resort-Varkala

At a Glance:

Varkala – the land of aqua blue seas and cliff-edged beaches, is a small town located in Trivandrum, Kerala, South India. The pearly beaches of Varkala extend out all around the cliff face for about 500 meters. The peak season at Varkala is usually December-January-February-March.

Varkala has primarily been a Hindu Pilgrimage Center since the 12th Century. The Janardhana Temple was built during this period and many Hindus still visit Varkala, to this day, for this reason.

Location:

51 kms north of Thiruvananthapuram city and 37 km south of Kollam, in Kerala

The History of Varkala:

It is believed that a group of devout pilgrims approached Narada, a saint according to Hindu Mythology, to confess their sins. Narada threw his valkalam (cloth made out of the bark of a tree) and it landed at a place near the seashore, where he instructed his devotees to offer prayers. The place then came to be known as 'Papanasam' meaning ‘redemption from sins’. And over the years, became ‘Varkala’ (perhaps from the word ‘Valkalam’)

Why Varkala is a hot tourist destination today?

Varkala, the tranquil seaside destination located on the shores of the Arabian Sea, is soon becoming a favorite destination among tourists from India and abroad, owing to its cliff-edged beaches offering a magnificent view of the sunrise and sunset. The long stretch of sandy beaches, towering red laterite cliffs with mineral springs, the Janardhana Temple, Sivagiri Mutt, Anjengo Fort etc are some of the major attractions at Varkala.

Main Attractions:

Beach, Mineral Water Springs, the Sivagiri Mutt and a 2000 year old Vishnu temple.

The Papanasam Beach is popular among tourists, both for its legendary tales and its natural beauty.

The Janardharna Temple is about 2000 years old. Legend has it that a Pandyan King came to the site to do penance to Lord Brahma for a sin he committed. The Lord pardoned the King and in return asked the King to build another temple in the same site. The King was informed in his dream of the location of the original idol that was buried deep in the sea. With the help of fishermen, the King was said to have reclaimed the idol and reinstalled it in the temple. Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the inner sanctum of the temple, but are allowed to walk around the sanctum and stroll around the huge banyan tree.

The Sivagiri Mutt is situated at an elavation, 3 kms east of the Janardhana temple and is devoted to Sree Narayana Guru (1855-1928). The Guru had preached the doctrine: 'One caste, one religion, one God for humanity' and attracted a large following among the lower castes. Thousands of followers visit the Mutt each year. Every afternoon, ‘sadhya’ is served at the mutt for just Rs.10. The Sivagiri Gurusamathi, Sivagiri Sarada Mutt & Sivagiri Vaidika Madom are the important centers.

Anjengo Fort served as a main garrison of the Dutch East India Company during the 17th and 18th centuries.

There are several centers for Yoga and Ayurvedic Rejuvenation Therapies. There is also a Nature Cure Center near the beach.