Varkala Beach
Location
Varkala Beach is located in the capital city of Kerala, Trivandrum. The beach is situated on the Western Coastal Plains of India, some 47 kms from the capital city. The beach lies to the north of this city. It takes a little more than a hour to reach the place by road from Trivandrum.
Beach Overview
Varkala is a small town situated on the seashore of Arabian Sea. The western boundary of this town is marked by the famous beach. The beach is lined up by the coconut palms, much of which are rooted in the cliffs that lie adjacent to the beach. The cliff is stretched for about two kilometres. Varkala is noted for its serene beaches, beach activities and the presence of backwater regions in its vicinity. The undulating cliffs, vast sea beyond and the shades under the coconut groves make the place a popular tourist destination.
Over the cliffs are established numerous restaurants and food stalls. Gushing out of the cliffs are water springs which are believed to have medicinal properties. The region witnesses a good crowd who come hunting for the leisure. The sea shore at Varkala is popularly called Papanasm. Apart from tourists one also finds a lot of Hindu devotees who perform 'Vavu Bali', a religious practice, on new moon days.
Beach Attractions
Varkala Beach is primarily known for its laid out, serene beach strips that lie along the coast. Some parts of the beach are crowded and scenes for a number of activities. There are food joints, hawkers and stringers. Apart from this the famous Janardana Swamy Temple, located here is a great attraction. The temple is believed to be 2000 years old and dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The current structure however, dates back to 12th century A.D. The place constitutes a sacred site for Hindu followers. Every year thousands of pilgrims reach here to have a holy dip in the sea.
The water springs, which contain mineral traces, gushing out of the cliffs are also eye catching. The mineral water springs are believed to have great medicinal properties. This is quite a unique feature at the beach.
Yoga and Meditation in Varkala Beach
Situated along India's western coast, Varkala offers you a memorable beach holiday plus wonderful Yoga and meditation courses. The town has plenty of hotels which offer classes in Yoga and meditation. Popular hotels where you can undertake Yoga and Meditation classes are Taj Garden Retreat, Sea Pearl Chalets, Golden Beach Resort, Hill View Ayurvedic Beach Resort, Thiruvambady Beach Retreat and Le Mangalath Beach Resort.
Best time to visit
Best time to visit the beach is from the month of March to November. The weather is fine, the surf is gentle and the beach is lively in the pleasant sunshine then.
Where to Stay
Varkala is a place where you an find a whole range of hotels, mostly economical class. Located near the beach and in the town are various standard and luxury hotels and resorts. Some well known resorts and hotels of Varkala are Taj Garden Retreat, Le Mangalath Beach Resort, Hill View Ayurvedic Beach Resort. Some known budget hotels include Akshaya Beach Resort, Varkala Marine Plus, Sea Pearl and Hill Top.
How to Reach
Varkala is connected to other cities of Kerala by road and rail links. Some 11 kms from Varkala lies the national highway on which long distance buses ply. One has to reach Kallamballam Junction (9 kms from Varkala) to access the neighboring cities. Bus services are available for regions including Ernakulam, Kollam, Trivandrum, Thrissur and Palakkad. There is a railway station located in the town which serves as further connecting the place with other cities of Kerala and beyond. Some important trains plying from different regions include Kanyakumari Express, Trivandrum Mail and Kerala Express. The nearest airport lies in the city of Trivandrum, some 50 kms from it.
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