Sightseeing in Varkala

One of very few places on India’s west coast where a cliff meets the sea this directly, Varkala’s North Cliff has grown into the town’s tourist centre, its clifftop path packed with restaurants and yoga studios overlooking Papanasam Beach and dramatic Arabian Sea sunsets below. Varkala Cliff sits at an elevation of 35 m and is typically explored in about 2-3 hours. The most favourable months to visit are December, January, February, and March, when conditions are best suited for sightseeing. Nearby points of interest include Varkala Cliff Beach, Varkala Cliff Walkway, and Varkala Lighthouse. Other notable highlights include sunset walk along the red laterite cliff edge, black sand beach below the cliff at low tide, and fresh catch grilled at cliff-top seafood shacks. It falls within Thiruvananthapuram district and Kerala.

Referenced in Malayalam literary works dating back over a thousand years, the Janardanaswamy Temple’s traditional Kerala-style sloping roofs sit just steps from Varkala’s cafe strip, and pilgrims performing rites at Papanasam Beach below typically visit the temple as part of the same journey. Janardanaswamy Temple is typically explored in about 1 hour. The best time to visit is October to March. Nearby points of interest include The Circumambulatory Path, The Sacred Temple Tank, and The Vettakkorumakan Shrine. Other notable highlights include 100-year-old flagstaff with 31.5-foot copper lamp, 2,000-year-old sacred jackfruit tree in courtyard, and morning puja view of Arabian Sea from cliff. It falls within Thiruvananthapuram district, India.

Papanasam ("destroyer of sins") draws Hindu pilgrims for ritual bathing alongside sunbathing travellers, and the small freshwater springs trickling from the cliff face above the sand are treated locally as having medicinal properties, adding to the beach’s dual identity as both pilgrimage site and resort beach. Papanasam Beach sits at an elevation of 11 m and is typically explored in about 1-2 hours. The most favourable months to visit are December, January, February, and March, when conditions are best suited for sightseeing. Nearby points of interest include Papanasam Beach Main Shore, Papanasam Beach View Point, and Papanasam Beach Cliff Walk. Other notable highlights include sacred dip in mineral springs at cliff base, golden sands under Varkala’s red laterite cliffs, and morning ritual baths with local pilgrims. It falls within Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram district, and Kerala, India.

The Edava Palakkavu Bhagavathi temple is one of the ancient temples in south India. It is situated at Edava in Thiruvananthapuram District, India. The temple is situated 5.7 km North of Varkala City.Bhadrakali Devi is the presiding deity of this temple. A festival is conducted during the month of "Kumbham". This is an occasion when the entire village, irrespective of religious differences, erupt in festive mood.