Varkala spa, 42 km away from Thiruvanathapuram, is the best spot along Kerala coast for watching sunset. The sight of the sun melting into the sea would blossom your poetic sense.The mineral water gushing from the hill is believed to have medicinal properties. The Varkala sands has become an ideal spot for confluence of cultures exotic and alien. Varkala also houses a leading pilgrim centre in Kerala. The 800-year old Janardhana temple, dedicated to Ayyappan and Hanuman, atop the hill has brought a sobriquet for the region, Southern Kasi (Benares). Non-Hindus are not permitted to enter the inner sanctum but can hang around the temple

Travel 54 Km north from Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, and you will come to Varkala Beach. Varkala Beach is a quiet and isolated sandy expanse where you can have a relaxing beach holiday without the crowds and bustle of some of the busier beaches in Kerala. Enjoy the laid back attractions of Varkala Beach while on Kerala beach tours with Kerala Backwater

To begin, there is the quiet stretch of white sandy beach, the Papanasam Beach. Myth has it that the sage Narada was approached by a group of sadhus who told him that they had sinned. In anger, Narada threw his valkkalam, the loin cloth made from the bark of trees, into the air. The place where it landed was Varkala. Narada then told the sinners to pray at a place near the seashore. That came to be known as the Papanasam Beach. The added attractions are the mineral springs and rocky cliffs. Varkala is worth taking a look for it is out of the ordinary. It is so peaceful that no one would bother disturbing you when you watch the sun set into the sea

Varkala Beach has a number of tourist attractions nearby. The mineral springs near Varkala Beach are considered to have medicinal properties and many people come here to drink and bathe in the water from the mineral springs. The Varkala Beach is also called Papanasam Beach because it is believed that bathing here will wash away all of one's sins. The Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple nearby is believed to be between 800 - 2000 years old. A nature cure center located near Varakala Beach is another popular attraction that you can visit on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater

Varkala Beach is also famous for its landscape. A high rocky cliff ends abruptly and a stretch of clear sand extends down to the sea. The contrast between the cliffs, sand and sea makes Varkala Beach a striking sight. The sunset at Varakala Beach is truly breathtaking with the sun sinking into the sky like a ball of molten gold as the sun and sea are tinged with crimson and vermilion. See the magnificent sunset at Varkala Beach on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater

Varakala is also a pilgrimage destination. Its Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple dedicated to Ayyappa is visited by many thousands of pilgrims year round. The auspicious new moon day in the month of 'Karkidakam', according to the Malayalam calendar is considered especially holy. Thousands of pilgrims come to Varakala Beach to pray and offer 'Vavu Bali', in honour of their relatives who have departed from this world. Feel the religious ambience of Varakala Beach on Beach Tours of Kerala with Kerala Backwater

The Janardhana Temple is said to be 2000 years old and has a Vishnu shrine. It is said that the original temple was engulfed and destroyed by tidal waves. Years later, a Pandyan king came to the site to do penance to Brahma for a sin he committed. The Lord pardoned the king and in return, asked the king to build another temple at the same site. The story goes that in a dream he was informed of the location of the original idol that was lying deep in the sea. With help of fishermen, the king reclaimed the idol and reinstalled it in the temple. The legend also says that brahma appeared and completed the rituals. 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 festivals of the temple are colorful with noisy parades. Another Hindu ritual to be watched is the 'vavu bali' performed on the beach on the new moon day of the month of Karkkidakam’ (Malayalam Era)

Sivagiri is the headquarters of the Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham Trust. The ashram is devoted to Sree Narayana Guru (1855-1928), whose followers, the Ezhavas form a large group of Kerala population. Guru 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 Rs 10