Why only Goa, this time for Varkala, the lonely planet
A perfect destination for relaxation
Varkala is a coastal town and municipality in Thiruvananthapuram district situated in the Indian state of Kerala. It is the suburban town of Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum city). It is located 50 kilometers (approx. 32 miles) north-west of Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) and 37 km south-west of Kollam city.
Varkala is the only place in southern Kerala where cliffs are found adjacent to the Arabian Sea[
Varkala is also famous for the 2,000-year-old Janardana Swami Temple which is an important Vaishnavaite shrine in India and is often referred to as Dakshin Kashi (Benares of the South).The temple is located close to the Papanasam beach, which is considered to have holy waters which wash away sins, and is also an important Ayurveda treatment center.
Train- Kanyakumari Express – seven days in a week- from KR Puram to Varkala station
Things to do in Varkala:
- Among the several picturesque beaches of Varkala, the prominent one is the main Varkala Beach, which is also known by the name Papanasanam Beach. The beaches of Varkala have steep cliffs. These cliffs, termed as Varkala Formation, that are found adjacent to the Arabian Sea are declared as geological monuments by the Geological Survey of India.
- Paragliding from the cliffs
- The most significant religious spot in Varkala is Sree Janardana Swami Temple. Sree Janardana Swami Temple or Dakshin Kashi is more than 2000 years old.
- With the rise in Varkala tourism, the healthcare industry here has flourished well. Varkala is a famous center for Ayurveda treatments. Natural therapies and spa treatments have become very popular here.
- Backwater cruising at the estuarine stretch between Edava and Kappil is another popular activity in Varkala.
Traveling to Varkala
Varkala is well connected by road to various cities. Tourists can choose to reach Varkala by buses, trains, flights and taxis. The nearest airport is located at Trivandrum, 50 km from the destination. The best time to visit Varkala Beach is from November to March.
We went by flight from Bangalore to Trivandrum. It just took 1 hr & 30 minutes & from there by a cab (provided by the hotel) took 1700 Rs.
Accommodation options in Varkala
Apart from budget hotels in Varkala like home stays and a few resorts, tourists also have luxurious options while visiting Varkala.
We stayed at Hill top Ayurvedic Beach resort situated in the north Cliff
Varkala has a sizeable number of people from all over the world visiting during New Years. The ideal time to visit is during November to March as its crowded by the foreigners. Now a days people prefer to go to Varkala than Kovalam as its very lonely & perfect for relaxation, yoga & Ayurveda treatment. However, if you are looking for a much cheaper deal, you could choose to travel much before the peak season starts. A trip only to Varkala can last you 4-5 days, however others differ. As I have gone in the first week of April, the weather was also surprisingly very pleasant. I stayed in Hill top ayurvedic resort, situated in the north cliff. The main attraction of this resort is the Tibetan restaurant adjacent to the resort which offers good Tibetan food & also tasty sea foods. And by sitting their you can enjoy the beauty of the calm & quite sea & can spend the entire day. Importantly the manager, Mr. Ernesto a Spanish guy, very helpful person. You can find lot of restaurants, shops which sells dresses, show pieces, leather bags, libraries in the entire cliff. If you do plan to join them on 31 Dec, it is advisable to head in early to the Cliff and leave real late. The local crowd may increase in number and getting out of the cliff gates would get tough and suffocating. Having been to Varkala first time, I would like to next time also & just want to sit & do relax. I do have a favorite restaurants there- Clafoutti & Tibetan kitchen. Goes without saying that you must try the sea food there
