Things To Do Varkala

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Places To Visit In Varkala

Anjengo Fort

Anjengo Fort, situated 12 km off Varkala at Anjengo, is believed to have been built in 17th century. Presently the fort is protected by the National Heritage monuments. The cemetery in the fort shelters the deceased occupants of the fort. The popular Muthalapuzhi Lake is situated very close to the Fort. Autos or cabs can be taken to reach the fort.

Arattu Festival in Janardhanaswamy Temple

One of the most significant festivals in Kerala, the ten-day Arattu festival is celebrated in the Janardhan Swamy temple with elephant processions, ornamental silk umbrellas and all night kathakali dances. The Arattu is more of a ritual than a temple festival. A grand procession, a ceremonial bath and serving of a sweet dish - Palpayasam; marks the festivities of the Arattu. It is celebrated twice a year in Kerala; March - April and October - November. Venue of Arattu Festival Janardhana Swamy Temple, Varkala About The Arattu Festival Procession at the Arattu FestivalSource Arattu Festival is celebrated in Janardhana Swamy Temple which displays the magnificent and vibrant colours of this place. It starts on the Karthika Day of the Malayalam Calendar with Kodiyettu (Flag Hoisting) and ends on Uthram Day (another auspicious day) with Arattu. The festival is observed in the month of Meenam (March-April) and is a ten-day affair. The fourth and fifth day of the festival includes all-night performances like the traditional Kathakali dance. A procession of five richly decorated elephants through the streets mark the end of the festival. The elephants are adorned with ornamental silk umbrellas and beautiful fans. The Arattu or the holy bath of Lord Vishnu is held on the Uttaram Day in the Arabian Sea which is near the temple. Rituals at the Arattu Festival Kerala Mounted Police at Sree Janardhana Swamy TempleSource Arattu is a ceremonial procession for Lord Vishnu which marks the end of the ten-day festival. The night before the parade, there is another procession inside the fort called 'Pallivetta'. On the day of Arattu, His Highness, the Ex-Maharaja enters the temple. After performing some rituals, the procession moves out through the eastern gate, accompanied by drums, nagaswaram etc. His Highness leads the procession with a sword in his hand and is escorted by armed guards, infantry, mounted police till the Sanghumugham beach. An elephant goes in front with a drum on its back. The drum is beaten to indicate the arrival of God according to ancient beliefs. The procession leaves the gate at around 5:00 PM with a 21 gun salute. The ceremonial bath is taken once the parade reaches the sea. Main Attraction at Arattu Festival The Dutch Bell A major attraction of the temple is the Dutch Bell which is believed to be cast in 1757. It was offered by a Dutch sailor to the temple as an oblation. The story behind it is that a Dutch ship refused to move as it passed by the temple. The captain heard the chiming of a bell from the temple. He promised to give a bell in his ship to the temple as an oblation if the Lord allowed his ship to sail further. Soon a wind came which moved the ship safely. The caption returned and kept his promise. About The Janardhana Swamy Temple Sree Janardhana Swamy TempleSource It is one the ancient temples of Kerala and is a renowned pilgrim destination dedicated to Lord Vishnu, known worldwide for the Arattu Festival celebrated here. It has a known history of roughly 2000 years. The temple is known to have been built by the devas. However, it soon became dilapidated and thereby reconstructed by the Pandya king. It is located on a steep hill at the entry point of the beach road. It has a splendid architecture and faces the Papanasam Beach. Its closeness to the sea adds to its glory and spiritual aura. There are brightly coloured idols of Hanuman, Garuda and Lord Shiva. The Janardhana Swamy Temple has been attracting a large number of devotees for a long time especially during the Arattu Festival. It is interesting to note that it is the only temple in Kerala which is devoted to Lord Vishnu in the name of Janardhan Swamy. History Of The Temple Sree Janardhana Swamy TempleSource There are many legends associated with the Janardhana Swamy Temple. The most famous legend is of Lord Brahma. It is believed that Lord Brahma once descended on the earth to perform a sacrifice and chose Varkala as his Bhoomi (place of sacrifice). He became so engrossed in his sacrifice that he forgot his job of creation. Lord Vishnu was aware of this and came to Varkala in the disguise of an old man. The Brahmins offered him food, but nothing satisfied his hunger. Lord Brahma realised this and came to see him. Lord Vishnu then requested him to stop his sacrifice and recommence his duty of recreation. Hence, the temple was built to commemorate this legend. Thus, to experience the true essence of Kerala, it is essential to witness a festival there, and there could be nothing better than the Arattu festival itself! Its splendid architectural features are worthy of admiration, and it has been attracting an average of ten thousand people during this season. The temple and the festival echo the traditions of South India and are worth a visit. Read More

Asparagus is a store in Varkala where one can find ecological handicrafts and textiles that are dyed with natural dyes. Tourists can purchase artefacts and fabrics that are unique to the region. The friendly salesmen ensure the customers get the best products they have. They also have an in-house tailor who can sew garments according to specific requirements from the fabrics purchased.

Chilakoor Beach is located at a distance of about 15 kms from the town of Varkala in Kerala. Lined with gorgeous casuarina groves, the drive to the beach takes you through traditional coastal villages which lets you have a glimpse of the rural Kerala life. The beach is also popular for its serene environment and beautiful sunset views.

Darjeeling Cafe is one of the most popular cafes in Varkala, offering amazing food with an amazing view of the seaside. With a simple yet elegant decor, the place stands out from the rest. The meals are served in authentic South Indian style and have similar flavours. You should definitely check out this place if you are in town.

Untouched and unspoilt by tourist activities, the Edava beaches are the virgin stretches circling a blue lagoon where sea and backwaters run parallel divided by a more-than-one km of straight road. There is also an estuary that connects the sea with the backwaters here.

InDa Cafe is one of the top places to chill and have amazing food, in Varkala. The USP of the cafe is to produce food which is not just tempting to the tongue but also the eyes. The chef's combine the Indian flavours with the Western style of cooking to create visually gorgeous, mouth watering food. The most recommended dish to try at the place is the Buddha Bowl.

Located in Varkala, Janardhanaswamy Temple is 25 km to the north of Thiruvananthapuram. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and the Arattu festival celebrated here every year is attended by thousands of devotees. It is an ancient temple dating back to 2000 years. Varkala has been a Hindu pilgrimage site since the 12th Century. The Janardhana Temple was built during this period and many Hindus still visit the place till day, for this very reason. The Varkala sands have become an ideal spot for confluence of various cultures. Varkala also houses a leading pilgrim centre in Kerala. The temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Hanuman, atop the hill has brought a sobriquet for the region, Southern Kasi (Benares). Non-Hindus are not permitted to enter the inner sanctum but can hang around the temple. Read More

Kaduvayil Juma Masjid is dedicated to a Muslim Saint, Saint Kaduvayil Thangal who is believed to have magical powers. It is one of the important Sunni Pilgrimage Centres in the region but its beautiful architecture also attracts tourists. The well maintained structure possesses a divine vibe that can put a troubled soul at peace in an instant.

Kappil Lake is a mesmerising estuary famous for being a tranquil picnic spot surrounded by dense coconut trees. It further becomes a part of the Arabian sea and offers a breath-taking view that can be witnessed clearly from the bridge over the lake. The lake is also famous for pedal boating. The boats can be hired from the boat club located near the water body._