Varkala
Varkala, situated 40 kilometres away from Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, is a new found paradise for beach buffs. Though tourism has now set it abuzz, it still offers a more laid back, lazy ambience than its more established counterpart in Thiruvananthapuram, the Kovalam beach. Quieter it may be in terms of crowds, but its waters are not as serene or tranquil. The main beaches are located atop a cliff that houses all the main hotels and resorts overlooking the Arabian Sea. Being the favourite of international tourists, the place is filled with eateries and shacks that serve delicious menus, including some continental staples. Close to the beach are also a bevy of ubiquitous shops that vend everything from clothes to footwear to handicrafts to exquisitely crafted bed and home linen, all available at bargain prices. If you are a light traveller, you can pick up some delightful handloom material at one of these and have them tailored into a shirt, blouse, trousers, or whatever you will, in a matter of hours.
Varkala’s main beach is one of the longest and finest in Kerala, which in season, stretches for 500 metres all around the cliff face. Its golden sandy swathe superimposed against the laterite cliff, creates a surreal setting. If a swim on the beach is not your cup of tea, you can just sit on the cliff and watch the horizon break into a riot of vivid colours at sunset, or just take in the fearsome waves that peak at high tide, all of which make treasurable memories to carry home with you. Varkala is also known for its mineral springs that add a mystical beauty to the place. The famous Janardhana Temple, a Hindu pilgrimage centre, and its spiritual significance as the final resting place of the great sage Sree Narayana Guru, all add to the magic of Varkala.
