Varkala travel information, Kerala

The latest hot-spot destination in Kerala, Varkala is must for those who prefer to do absolutely nothing while holidaying. Due to a spillover resulting from the over saturation of Kovalam, Varkala is a favorite with tourists who travel to Kerala. At the Varkala platform, there is no indication that this town is on many a tourist itinerary.

What makes the coastline of Varkala exceptional is its landscape. Towering cliffs that stand like silent sentinels, guarding the sparkling waters, back the beach. Highly unusual land formations, the sheerness of the cliffs, and the view from atop, simply astound the visitors. Shining white sands, cloudless skies touching the blue water and the red soil of the hilltop, coupled with yellow-green paddy fields, and green coconut trees, make a composite picture of the beauty and awesomeness of nature. Nature in its pristine glory remains so untouched that to get to the secluded part of the beach, one has to either scramble over rocks during high tide or climb down the cliff. With constant use, a path of sorts has been worn into the hill face.

Sivagiri Mutt is the samadhi (memorial) of Shri Narayana Guru, spiritual leader and social reformer of Kerala. A man much ahead of his times, he propagated the idea of one caste, one religion, and one God. His discourses were conducted mainly in and around Varkala. Located about 2.5 km from the town, on the banks of the Thiruvananthapuram-Shornur canal, Sivagiri Mutt is visited by thousands of Hindu pilgrims, annually. Most people, who visit Sivagiri, also make it a point to go to Janardhana Swami Temple. This temple is situated close to Varkala's beach.

Ironically enough, much before Varkala became known, internationally, for its sandy stretch, the beach, named Papanasam, was already well known to pilgrims in Kerala. Considered an auspicious site, during the season of Karkkidakavavu, special pujas for invoking departed souls are conducted here. Varkala and its 3 km stretch of beach beckons the jaded and the travel weary.

Tourists planning their holidays in Varkala can reach it from Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala. Varkala is about an hour's drive from Thiruvananthapuram. The Varkala railway station links the tourist destination of Varkala with places like Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam. There are several hotels, beach resorts, motels and inns catering to tourists coming for vacation in Varkala. As per your budget you may take your pick from luxury to budget hotels in Varkala.

By Air:
Varkala though does not have an airport of its own; the most convenient airport is Trivandrum is nearly an hour's drive from here. Trivandrum, being the capital city of Kerala, has a very good air network and is connected to Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Chennai, Kochi and Kolkata.

By Road:
Varkala is just 47kms off from the National Highway No: 47. A good network of roads connects the city to Trivandrum. Trivandrum in turn is the linked by road to all the prominent cities in South India. So one can easily reach Varkala from any part of the country.

By Rail:
By Varkala has a railway station of its own. Regular trains ply between Trivandrum and Varkala. Trivandrum again has train connection to the major places throughout the country.

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