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Chill out and rejuvenate at Varkala
 Varkala is a quiet beach resort located 51 kilometers from Kerala’s capital city, Thiruvananthapuram and is fast catching up as a weekend getaway for residents of Kerala and a great holiday spot for outsiders. It is the only place in southern Kerala where the Arabian Sea stands face to face with picturesque cliffs. The beautiful beaches and the slow-paced life allow you to unwind and re-energize at Varkala.
Getting there
Varkala is only 170 kilometers by road from Cochin. You could either hire a taxi or opt for the state transport buses to get to Varkala. A cheaper and more comfortable option (and quicker too) is to board a train from Ernakulam Junction railway station; you will reach Varkala in just 3.5 hours.
What to see
Earlier Varkala was known only as a religious destination. But today, its pristine beaches are drawing a parallel to those of Goa! 
Varkala is primarily known for Papanasam beach, the holy waters of which are believed to wash away one’s sins. At the Papanasam beach, you could offer Shraadh Pooja for the departed. But that’s not all! The beach is clean and the water is a pristine blue. Just sit back and relax while you soak up the sun and let the waves caress your feet. In addition, you could also go surfing! There are a few shacks around the beach where you can tuck into some steaming seafood.
Varkala is also known for its 2,000-year old Sree Janardhanaswamy temple. This Hindu pilgrimage site is even called the Kashi of South India and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Sivagiri Mutt is another pilgrimage, which was instituted by Sree Narayana Guru, one of the greatest social  reformers Kerala has seen. He was a saint, philosopher and leader of Ezhava community and he founded this religious retreat to propagate the ‘One Caste, One Religion, One God’ concept. Sivagiri Mutt also holds the Maha Samadhi (resting place) of Sree Narayana Guru.
Kappil beach is a beautiful, untouched beach, dotted with coconut trees. Huge rocks encircle the beach as the waves come crashing down on them; a great place to spend a quiet moment. If you are in a group, head to Kappil Lake that lies adjacent to the beach (a rarity). The lake side is shaded by trees and is a lovely site to enjoy with friends and family. You could hire a boat from the boat club here and set sail!
From the banks of Agathamuri Lake, take a boat (the traditional rickety ones), and head to Golden Island. Here,  visit the Shiva-Parvathy temple and then take a speed boat ride to the interiors of Agathamuri Lake. The island is almost like a jungle, with huge trees and undergrowth.
Other sites to visit are Anjengo Fort (though it may take more than an hour to get here), Varkala tunnel, and the Helipad.
Where to stay
The Hindustan Beach Retreat (0470-2604254/55) is right on Papanasam Beach and hence is an ideal place to stay as all their rooms are sea-facing. The Gateway Hotel (0470-2603000) is located on a red cliff, overlooking the sea and is closer to Kappil beach. Deshadan Resort (0470-3204242) has fewer rooms and cottages and  boasts of personalized service. There are many other options for stay if your budget is lower; Mom Lekha’s Private Homes, Golden Beach Resort, Kadaltheeram Beach and Ayurvedic Resort and Varkala Marine Palace are some of them.
What to shop
There is nothing much to shop for around here. The beach has a few stores that sell local and touristy attire. Mind your pocket and don’t forget to bargain, just for the heck of it!
So if you want to escape the hustle-bustle of Cochin and its never-ending traffic snarls, Varkala is the place to head to. It’s a good idea to avoid heavy monsoons, but as the rains diminish, the beach is not as crowded and the weather is cooler—in short, a good time to visit.
By Nina Nair
Varkala is a quiet beach resort located 51 kilometers from Kerala’s capital city, Thiruvananthapuram and is fast catching up as a weekend getaway for residents of Kerala and a great holiday spot for outsiders. It is the only place in southern Kerala where the Arabian Sea stands face to face with picturesque cliffs. The beautiful beaches and the slow-paced life allow you to unwind and re-energize at Varkala.
Getting there
Varkala is only 170 kilometers by road from Cochin. You could either hire a taxi or opt for the state transport buses to get to Varkala. A cheaper and more comfortable option (and quicker too) is to board a train from Ernakulam Junction railway station; you will reach Varkala in just 3.5 hours.
What to see
Earlier Varkala was known only as a religious destination. But today, its pristine beaches are drawing a parallel to those of Goa!
Varkala is primarily known for Papanasam beach, the holy waters of which are believed to wash away one’s sins. At the Papanasam beach, you could offer Shraadh Pooja for the departed. But that’s not all! The beach is clean and the water is a pristine blue. Just sit back and relax while you soak up the sun and let the waves caress your feet. In addition, you could also go surfing! There are a few shacks around the beach where you can tuck into some steaming seafood.
Varkala is also known for its 2,000-year old Sree Janardhanaswamy temple. This Hindu pilgrimage site is even called the Kashi of South India and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Sivagiri Mutt is another pilgrimage, which was instituted by Sree Narayana Guru, one of the greatest social reformers Kerala has seen. He was a saint, philosopher and leader of Ezhava community and he founded this religious retreat to propagate the ‘One Caste, One Religion, One God’ concept. Sivagiri Mutt also holds the Maha Samadhi (resting place) of Sree Narayana Guru.
Kappil beach is a beautiful, untouched beach, dotted with coconut trees. Huge rocks encircle the beach as the waves come crashing down on them; a great place to spend a quiet moment. If you are in a group, head to Kappil Lake that lies adjacent to the beach (a rarity). The lake side is shaded by trees and is a lovely site to enjoy with friends and family. You could hire a boat from the boat club here and set sail!
From the banks of Agathamuri Lake, take a boat (the traditional rickety ones), and head to Golden Island. Here, visit the Shiva-Parvathy temple and then take a speed boat ride to the interiors of Agathamuri Lake. The island is almost like a jungle, with huge trees and undergrowth.
Other sites to visit are Anjengo Fort (though it may take more than an hour to get here), Varkala tunnel, and the Helipad.
Where to stay
The Hindustan Beach Retreat (0470-2604254/55) is right on Papanasam Beach and hence is an ideal place to stay as all their rooms are sea-facing. The Gateway Hotel (0470-2603000) is located on a red cliff, overlooking the sea and is closer to Kappil beach. Deshadan Resort (0470-3204242) has fewer rooms and cottages and boasts of personalized service. There are many other options for stay if your budget is lower; Mom Lekha’s Private Homes, Golden Beach Resort, Kadaltheeram Beach and Ayurvedic Resort and Varkala Marine Palace are some of them.
What to shop
There is nothing much to shop for around here. The beach has a few stores that sell local and touristy attire. Mind your pocket and don’t forget to bargain, just for the heck of it!
So if you want to escape the hustle-bustle of Cochin and its never-ending traffic snarls, Varkala is the place to head to. It’s a good idea to avoid heavy monsoons, but as the rains diminish, the beach is not as crowded and the weather is cooler—in short, a good time to visit.
By Nina Nair
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