Varkala

[sherlyk]

History of Varkala

Legends say, that a king of the Pandyan dynasty was instructed by the Lord
Brahma to construct the Janardhana Temple to relieve the king of his sins.
The idol’s location was prophesied to the king in his dream, it is believed.
Thus for ages Varkala has been a pilgrimage destination and is in recent years a favored tourist getaway.

Varkala

Varkala is small greenery town but very important tourist place for Indian & Foreign Tourist Travellers as well as religious place for “Hindus”. Varkala is the only place in Southern Kerala where one can find Cliffs adjacent to the Arabian Sea. These tertiary sedimentary formation cliffs are unique geological feature and is known among geologist as VARKALA FORMATION and a Geological monuments as declared by the Geological Survey of India. There are numerous water spouts and spa on the sides of these red rock cliffs. Secluded white sand, sunshine beach is known as “Papanasam Beach”, which is one of the best special beach to have comfortable sun bath and viewing sunset.(“Papanasam” means redemption from sins and very important center of Hindu pilgrimage.).

Varkala is also very famous of its century years old Janardanaswamy temple, which is an important “vaishnavaite” shrine in India and is referred to as “Dakshin Kashi”- benares of the south. Temple is close to Papanasam beach, Which is considered to have holy waters which wash away sins. The temple has an ancient bell removed from a shipwreck, donated by captain of dutch vessel which sank near varkala without causing any casualties.

Attractions:
* PAPANASAM BEACH AND CLIFF
* MINERAL WATER SPRINGS
* JANARDHANA TEMPLE
* SIVAGIRI MUTT
* AKATHUMURRI BACK WATER
* KAPPIL BEACH AND BACK WATER
* KAPPIL BOAT CLUB
* NEAREST WATER FALL- PALARUVI
* NEAREST HILL STATION-PONMUDI

JANARDHANA TEMPLE

Varkala has remained a Hindu pilgrimage centre since the 12th century.The 2000 years old temple which has a vishnu shrine is at a distance of 45 km from Thiruvananthapuram city and 37 km from Kollam.

SIVAGIRI MUTT

Sivagiri is a pilgrimage centre in Varkala, India where one of its social reformer and sage Sree Narayana Guru’s tomb is located and place where guru was enlightend and got the salvation. The Samadhi (the final resting place) of the Guru here attracts thousands of devotees every year during the Sivagiri Pilgrimage days 30th December to 1st January.

The Sivagiri Mutt, built in 1904, is situated at the top of the Sivagiri hill near Varkala. Even decades after the guru breathed his last here in 1928; his samadhi continues to be thronged by thousands of devotees, donned in yellow attire, from different parts of Kerala and outside every year during the Sivagiri Pilgrimage days – 30th December to 1st January.

The Sivagiri Mutt is also the headquarters of the Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham, an organization of his disciples and saints, established by the Guru to propagate his concept of ‘One Caste, One Religion, One God’. The Guru Deva Jayanti, the birthday of the Guru, and the samadhi day are celebrated in August and September respectively every year. Colourful processions, debates and seminars, public meetings, cultural shows, community feasts, group wedding and rituals mark the celebrations.

ANJENGO FORT

Located about 36 Kms north of Thiruvananthapuram, near the famed beach of Varkala, and lying on the seacoast is Anjengo or Anjuthengu, meaning five coconut trees. A place of historic importance as well as beautiful natural setting, Anjengo is an ideal destination for those who don’t mind walking around and explore what is in store.

The historic significance tagged to Anjengo comes through foreign powers like the Portuguese, the Dutch and finally the English East India Company. In the year 1684, the English East India Company chose Anjengo to establish their first trade settlement in Kerala.

At Anjengo, one can find the remnants of the old English Fort, which was targeted several times by other foreign powers, who were at that time fighting each other to get a firm footing in Kerala. The Fort is now under the protection of National Heritage Monuments. There is also a cemetery inside the fort, which most probably would be having the remains of the occupants of the fort, and the oldest among the burial sites dates to 1704.

Kaduvayil Thangal Dargah
Kaduvayil Thangal Dargah, on the National Highway, is a popular spot attracting people from all walks of life. A small Dargah (mausoleum) of a sufi or Muslim saint is housed here. As believed by the localites, this place is a sanctified piece of land that begets good fortune.

KAPPIL LAKE

Kappil boat club is a recent venture in the back water tourism in the area. Kappil is 6kms north of Varkala. The people travelling in trains and buses through the area can enjoy the scenic beauty of the estuary in between Edava and Kappil . It is fascinating. Vettekkada, near Kappil and Varkala is a spectacular beach.

VARKALA TUNNEL

The tale of Varkala is incomplete without the great tunnel popularly known as ‘Varkala Turuthu’. The construction of the 924 ft long tunnel began in 1867 under the supervision of Divan sir. T Mahadeva Rao of Travancore. It was completed in 1880, at the time of Divan Sheshaya Sasthri. The tunnel was extensively used for ferrying of several kind of goods.

PONNUMTHURUTH (GOLDEN ISLAND)

This beautiful island can be reached by boat. The cruize to the island is a memorable one. There is a temple dedicated to Sivan and Parvathy which is very famous.

Location

51 km North of Thiruvananthapuram city and 37 km South of Kollam,
Thiruvananthapuram district, South Kerala.

Nearest railway station: Varkala, 3 km away.

Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, nearly 57 km away.


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