Varkala known as the ‘Temple Town’ has recently become another renowned international beach destination in Thiruvananthapuram district. Its easy access, locale and above all, less crowded beach has made it an equivalent substitute to the Kovalam beach. The unspoilt beach lapped by the waves of the Arabian sea coupled with the eternal abode of Kerala’s social reformer and religious leader Sree Narayana Guru has made this small town a favourite tourist destination. It is believed that sage Narada, one of the famous Hindu mythological figures was once approached by a group of pilgrims who confessed to having sinned. Narada threw his ‘valkkalam ‘(the bark of tree which the mythical sages used to wear) into the air, and the place where it landed was subsequently named Varkala. Sage Narada directed them to this newly created place and told them to offer their prayers and repent for their sins at this seashore. The place where they prayed for redemption came to be known as the Papanasham Beach.

Varkala known as the ‘Temple Town’ has recently become another renowned international beach destination in Thiruvananthapuram district. Its easy access, locale and above all, less crowded beach has made it an equivalent substitute to the Kovalam beach. The unspoilt beach lapped by the waves of the Arabian sea coupled with the eternal abode of Kerala’s social reformer and religious leader Sree Narayana Guru has made this small town a favourite tourist destination. It is believed that sage Narada, one of the famous Hindu mythological figures was once approached by a group of pilgrims who confessed to having sinned. Narada threw his ‘valkkalam ‘(the bark of tree which the mythical sages used to wear) into the air, and the place where it landed was subsequently named Varkala. Sage Narada directed them to this newly created place and told them to offer their prayers and repent for their sins at this seashore. The place where they prayed for redemption came to be known as the Papanasham Beach.