YOGA IN VARKALA, KERALA, INDIA

Varkala, The Most Beautiful Place In Kerala

Varkala is a scenic beach town located in the southern part of Kerala. Famed for its 15m tall ‘Northern cliff’ that overlooks the Arabian sea, Varkala is a little paradise replete with beautiful beaches, lakes, hills, lighthouses, forts and natural springs. Also, Varkala is synonymous with Ayurvedic spas and yoga schools, hostels and affordable resorts that make this coastal town a must-visit for yogis and travelers alike.

Varkala Beach

This article will talk about the many fascinating places that you can visit and the many exciting things you can do in Varkala. Let’s take a look.

Places To Visit And Things To Do In Varkala

Visit The Pristine Beaches

The Varkala beach which is located about 10 km away from the quaint hamlet of Varkala is a beautiful sandy beach known for its serene and peaceful environment. The sedimentary formation of this cliff-adorned beach is a unique sight in itself. Also called Papanasam beach aka ‘Destroyer of Sins, the waters of the Varkala beach are believed to have medicinal properties. A dip in the waters is said to cleanse the body of all the sins and impurities. The sunsets at the beach are enamoring and call for a quiet walk along the sandy beach.

Besides the Varkala beach, you can visit the virgin stretches of Edava beach and the black sand beach of Thiruvambadi. Furthermore, the Chilakoor beach, located about 15 km from Varkala town and lined with amazing casuarina groves is a sight to behold.

Visit The Many Ancient Religious Places And Pilgrimage Sites

The Janardhan Swami temple located in Varkala is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is the site of the Arattu festival that is attended by hordes of devotees each year. Besides the Janardhan Swami temple, you can visit the Sarkara Devi temple which is dedicated to the Goddess Bhadrakali. The temple is known for celebrating the Kaliyoot festival and the Meenabharani festival where a procession of Goddess Bhadrakali taken out to the Bhagavathy palace during the 10-day festival is the highlight of the festivities. Also, don’t forget to visit the 100 years old Shiva Parvathi temple located in Ponnumthuruthu or Golden island, about 20 km from Varkala. 

Furthermore, get ready to be awed by the beautiful architecture of the Kaduvayil Juma Masjid which is dedicated to the Muslim saint Kaduvayil Thangal who was believed to have some magical powers. The Masjid is considered an important center for the Sunni pilgrimage.

Another noteworthy place to visit is the Sivagiri Mutt in Varkala. This ashram is dedicated to Shree Narayan Guru who was a saint, social reformer and leader belonging to the Ezhava community. He made Varkala his base and the Sivagiri Mutt instituted by him is an important pilgrimage center of Varkala. The ashram celebrates Guru Deva Jayanti and Guru Deva Samadhi each year. Although Shree Narayan Guru breathed his last in 1928, his Samadhi is thronged by thousands of devotees every year.

Visit the Anjengo Fort

Varkala Fort

Located at Anjengo which is about 12 km off Varkala, the 17th-century Anjengo fort is an ancient marvel that you can visit. The fort is maintained under the tutelage of the National Heritage Monuments. The famed Muthalapuzhi lake flows close to the fort. There is a cemetery in the fort which houses the tombs of the deceased occupants of this historic fort.

Visit the Varkala lighthouse

Light house Varkala

Built in 1684, the Varkala lighthouse was built by the British to assist in the navigation of ships anchored in Varkala. The 130 feet tall lighthouse offers mesmerizing views of the vast expanses of the Arabian sea and the backwaters. So, this lighthouse is a must-visit attraction, especially for beach lovers and photographers.

Experience Tranquillity At The Kappil Lake

Kapil beach Varkala

The Kappil lake estuary is a tranquil spot that is surrounded by coconut mangroves. The lake further merges into the Arabian sea and the sight can be witnessed from a bridge built over the lake. You can do pedal boating and immerse yourself in the serene atmosphere of the surroundings.

Enjoy Water Sporting Activities

The Varkala beach is a haven for water sporting activities such as paragliding and para-sailing. One can also indulge in jet-skiing and banana boat rides on the beaches of Varkala.

Enjoy Mangrove Forest Kayaking

Kayaking

Experience the joy of kayaking in the Mangrove forest in Nedungolam in Paravur located about 18 km from the town of Varkala. Experience nature’s bounty in the 4 km kayaking stretch by sailing through the canals of the mangrove forests of Nedungolam. 

Join A Yoga Teacher Training Program

Yoga Training at the Beach

The scenic beauty of Varkala offers a perfect backdrop for a yoga teacher training course. In fact, Varkala ranks high amongst the many places which offer a yoga TTC Kerala. Varkala is a favored destination for people from across the world who come to this quaint town to undergo beginner-level 200 hours of yoga teacher training in Kerala and other advanced courses in yoga teacher training. This coastal town is hence dotted with many yoga schools and Ashrams that offer Yoga Alliance certified yoga TTC programs for aspiring yoga teachers.

Indulge In Food And Shopping

The Varkala beaches are dotted with many shack-style restaurants that offer delectable coastal cuisine. Also, since Varkala also gets hordes of foreign tourists, one can find many cafes serving some amazing Western cuisine. So, don’t forget to sample the enormously satisfying ‘Buddha Bowl’ from InDa Cafe or enjoy an amazing seaside view while you tuck into some savory delights at the Darjeeling Cafe.

Visit the Asparagus store in Varkala where you can find ecological handicrafts and textiles in natural dyes. You can buy fabrics and artifacts which represent the region. Also, one can buy oxidized silver jewelry, harem pants, and yoga mats from shops lining the streets and beaches of Varkala.

Best time to Visit Varkala

September to March is the best time to visit Varkala. The cool blowing air and the pleasant ambiance during these months are a welcome relief from the hot humid scorching summers.

How To Reach Varkala?

Varkala is well connected to the rest of India by road and rail. Although not directly connected by air, Thiruvananthapuram airport, about 40 km away from Varkala is the nearest airport that connects the coastal town to other parts of the country.

Varkala is a paradise for nature lovers. Although a quaint town tucked away from the busy humdrum of city life, Varkala is dotted with many well-renowned Ashrams, Ayurvedic spas, resorts, and yoga schools that draw yogis from across the world. So, if you are a traveler interested in spirituality and yoga then do visit Varkala for an ambient experience seeped in nature’s glory and spirituality.

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