Varkala facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Varkala Udaya Marthandapuram
Town
Varkala Beach
Nickname(s):  Pearl of Arabian Sea Goa of Kerala
Varkala Location in Kerala Show map of Kerala Varkala Location in India Show map of India
Country	India
State	Kerala
District	Thiruvananthapuram
Talukas	Varkala Taluk
Government
• Type	Municipality
• Body	Varkala Municipality
Area
• Total	14.87 km2 (5.74 sq mi)
Area rank	3
Elevation	58 m (190 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Total	40,048
• Rank	3
• Density	2,693.2/km2 (6,975.4/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Varkalakkaran, Varkalaite
Languages
• Official	Malayalam, English
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	695141
Telephone code	0470
Vehicle registration	KL-81
Nearest City Airport	Thiruvananthapuram - 39 km
Niyamasabha constituency	Varkala

Varkala is a town located on the coast of Kerala, a state in southern India. It is a northern part of Thiruvananthapuram, which is the capital city of Kerala.

According to old stories and myths from Kerala, Varkala is known as a very special and holy place. It is the only area in southern Kerala where you can find tall cliffs right next to the Arabian Sea. These cliffs are a unique natural wonder. Geologists call them the Varkala Formation. They have been named a national geological monument to help protect them and encourage people to visit and learn about their geology. You can also find many natural water springs and spas along these cliffs.

Varkala is also famous for the 2,000-year-old Janardana Swami Temple. This temple is a very important place of worship for followers of Vaishnavism in India. It is often called Dakshin Kashi, which means the Benares of the South.

History of Varkala

Ancient Stories

Many legends explain how Varkala got its name. One story says that a king from the Pandyan Dynasty was told by Lord Brahma to build a temple here to clear away his sins.

Another popular story tells of Sage Narada. When some travelers came to him, saying they had sinned, Narada threw his valkalam. This was a loin cloth made from tree bark. It landed in this beautiful village, and so the place became known as Varkala. Narada then told the travelers to pray at a place called Papanasam, which means "redemption from sins."

Early Trade and Ports

Varkala has a long history linked to ancient trade. During the Shunga Dynasty, it was known as Balita. This name appears in an old Greek book called The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea. Historical records show that Varkala was an important port where foreign traders used to come.

Geography of Varkala

Varkala is located at 8°44′36″N 76°41′49″E / 8.7432986°N 76.6968401°E / 8.7432986; 76.6968401. It is a coastal town with unique geological features.

People and Religion

In 2011, about 70% of the people living in Varkala were Hindu. About 28% of the population was Muslim.

Geology of the Cliffs

Varkala is important for studying geology because it shows sedimentary rocks from the Cenozoic age. These rocks are known as the Warkalli formation. They were formed when sediments were laid down in the Kerala basin many millions of years ago. The Warkalli formation has layers of sand and shale, which can be seen along the Varkala cliffs. Thin layers of lignite (a type of coal) in the shale suggest that there was a lot of plant life when these clay sediments were forming.

Economy and Life in Varkala

Varkala is a popular place for tourists and business. There are over 300 resorts and hotels in the town, including a Taj Hotel. The town has good services like a water supply system, a fire station, and several post offices. It also has colleges, a police station, and many hospitals and clinics. There is even a government-run naturopathic hospital and an Ayurvedic Hospital.

Getting Around Varkala

By Air

The closest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, which is about 39 kilometers away. This airport connects Varkala to major cities in India and other countries. There is also a helipad at Varkala Cliff.

By Rail

Varkala Railway Station is a busy station in the Thiruvananthapuram district. Many trains connect Varkala to big cities across India, like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and Chennai.

By Road

Varkala is on the coastal highway that runs between Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam. It is also connected by State Highway 64 to National Highway 66. This main highway runs about 9 km to the east. You can find private and public buses (KSRTC) that travel through Varkala from nearby cities.

By Water

Varkala is connected to National Waterway 3 through the Varkala Tunnel. This tunnel goes right through the middle of the town.

Tourism and Fun Things to Do

Varkala Promenade

Tourism in Varkala started to grow around Varkala Beach, also known as Papanasam Beach. This beach was once famous for a Hindu custom called Vavu Beli. Another beach, Tiruvambadi, is just one kilometer away. An island called Ponnumthuruthu is also a fun place to visit near Varkala.

You can find many places offering traditional Ayurvedic massages along the walkway above the beach.

Varkala Beach

Varkala Beach, or Papanasam Beach, is great for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports. You can also try delicious local Kerala-style food along the cliff. The cliff and beach area have many resorts, restaurants, and shops.

Some parts of the sand on Varkala Beach are black. This black sand contains a substance called thorium oxide, which is naturally radioactive.

Beach Customs

Some parts of Varkala Beach (Papanasam Beach) are used by people in India to scatter the ashes of their family members into the sea after cremation. Even with this tradition, the sea is very popular for swimming with both local people and tourists.

Kappil Lake

Edava-Nadayara Lake: A scene from Paravur Thekkumbhagam

Kappil Lake is about 4 kilometers north of Varkala Town. This calm lake is actually an estuary, which means it's where a river meets the sea. It winds through thick coconut trees before joining the Arabian Sea. The bridge over the lake offers a great view of the water stretching out. You can also enjoy boating on this waterway.

Anjengo Fort

Anjengo Fort is an old fort located near Varkala. This fort has a rich history because different foreign powers, like the Portuguese, the Dutch, and later the English East India Company, were interested in it. In 1684, the English East India Company chose Anjengo to set up their first trading post in Kerala.

The remains of the old English Fort can still be seen at Anjengo. Other foreign powers often attacked it as they fought for control in Kerala. Today, the fort is protected as a National Heritage Monument. Inside the fort, there is also a cemetery with very old burial sites, some dating back to 1704.

Varkala Tunnel

Varkala Tunnel

The Varkala Tunnel is an old and interesting place for tourists. Its construction started in 1867 under the leadership of Sir T. Mahadeva Rao. It was finished in 1880. The Varkala Lighthouse is another tourist spot nearby.

Important Religious Places

Janardana Swami Temple

Janardhana Swami Temple Pond

Janardana Swami Temple is a very important temple for followers of Vaishnavism. Thousands of pilgrims visit it every year. The temple is believed to be about 2,000 years old. Facing the temple is Papanasam Beach, where people bathe in the sea. They believe the holy waters will wash away their sins. A large bell, which came from a wrecked Dutch merchant ship, is displayed at the temple.

Sivagiri Mutt

Sivagiri Mutt

Sivagiri Mutt is a famous ashram (a spiritual retreat) in Varkala. It was founded by the wise teacher and social reformer Sree Narayana Guru. His tomb is also located here. Thousands of followers visit the Guru's resting place every year during the Sivagiri pilgrimage, which takes place from December 30 to January 1.

The Sivagiri Mutt was built in 1904. It is located on top of the Sivagiri hill in Varkala. This Mutt is also the main center for the Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham. This is an organization of the Guru's students and holy people. The Guru started it to spread his idea of 'One Caste, One Religion, One God'. The Guru's birthday (Guru Deva Jayanti) and the day he passed away are celebrated every year in August and September. These celebrations include colorful parades, discussions, public meetings, cultural shows, and community meals.

Panayara Triporittakkavu Bhagavathi Temple

Panayara Triporittakkavu Bhagavathi Temple is one of the most well-known Devi temples in Kerala. The main festival here is the Meenabharani festival. It is celebrated in the Malayalam month of 'Meenam' (which is around March or April).

Sarkara Devi Temple

Sarkara Devi Temple is an old temple located near Varkala in Chirayinkeezhu. This temple is famous for its Kaliyoot festival, which happens in the Malayalam month of Kumbham (March).

Sree Saraswathy Temple

The Sree Saraswathy Temple is in Venkulam, Edava. It is a temple dedicated to VidyaDevi, the goddess of knowledge. It is known for its Navarathri Sangeetholsavam (music festival) and Vijayadesami Vidyarambam (a ceremony for starting education).

Kaduvayil Juma Masjid

Kaduvayil Juma mosque is a place of pilgrimage for Sunni Muslims. It is located on NH47, between Kallambalam and Attingal. Many local Muslims visit this mosque.

Mambazhamoola Mahaganapathi Temple

Mambazhamoola Mahaganapathi Kshethram is a well-known Hindu temple in Varkala-Ayroor, Kerala. It is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity. People believe it is one of the oldest Ganesha temples in the area. Many devotees come here to seek blessings and peace from Ganesha.

Climate in Varkala

Varkala has a tropical monsoon climate. This means it gets heavy rains from June to August because of the southwest monsoon. In summer, the temperature can reach up to 32°C. In winter, it is around 31°C. The highest temperature ever recorded in nearby Thiruvananthapuram was 39°C. Varkala gets about 3100 mm of rain each year on average.

Images for kids

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  Papanasam beach in Varkala seen from the cliffs above

See also

In Spanish: Varkala para niños