Varkala

Varkala, historically known as Balita is a coastal municipality and a northern suburb of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of the Indian state of Kerala.

Varkala is the only region in Kerala where cliffs are found adjacent to the Indian Ocean.

The cliffs have been declared a national geological monument by the Geological Survey of India for their protection, maintenance, promotion, and the enhancement of geotourism. In 2015, the Ministry of Mines, the Government of India, and the Geological Survey of India (GSI) declared Varkala Cliffs a geo-heritage site.

Varkala is the site of the 2,000-year-old Janardana Swami Temple, a Vaishnavaite shrine in India and is often referred to as Dakshin Kashi (Benares of the South).

Legend

According to legend the mythological character Narada once threw his valkalam (garment made of tree bark) to the ground and the place it fell was called Varkala after the valkalam.

History

Varkala is one of the major spiritual and religious places in Kerala. It was known as Balita in the ancient Greek manuscript called "The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea." The place was sometimes referred to as Udaya Marathandapuram to commemorate the contributions of the then early Travancore king, Udaya Marthanda Varma. Varkala also holds a significant place in ancient trade history.

Legends

It is believed that a Pandyan King was instructed by Lord Brahma to build a temple at this very place to redeem him of his sins. Several other myths abound on the birth of Varkala. Another legend states that when a group of pilgrims approached Sage Narada and told him that they had sinned, Narada threw his valkalam (a loin cloth made from the bark of a tree) and it landed at this scenic village and hence, the place came to be known as Varkala. Narada told the pilgrims to pray for their redemption at Papanasam, which literally means redemption from sins.

Geography

Varkala is located at 8°44′36″N 76°41′49″E/8.7432986°N 76.6968401°E/ 8.7432986; 76.6968401.

Religion

As per the Census 2011, the total Hindu population in Varkala municipality is 28,273 which is 70.6% of the total population. Also the total Muslim population in Varkala is 11,562 which is 28.87% of the total population.

Government and politics

Local government

Varkala is a municipality in the Thiruvananthapuram District. Urban civic administration is overseen by the Varkala municipality or municipal council, while the rural civic administration is under the charge of the 7 panchayats of Edava, Elakamon, Vettoor, Madavoor, Navaikulam, Pallickal, and Chemmaruthy in Varkala Taluk.

The Varkala municipality has 33 wards under it and also has 6 standing committees that take care of basic amenities such as water, sewage, roads, taxes, and other such city or local government functions.

Elected representatives to the State Assembly and to the Indian Parliament

Varkala comes under the Attingal Lok Sabha Constituency. There are seven State Assembly Constituencies within Attingal Lok Sabha Constituency, of which Varkala is one. One Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) is elected from Varkala with Legislative Assembly no. 127.

Connectivity

Air

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (39km) is the nearest airport and is well connected with all major cities in India and Abroad and there is also a helipad at Varkala Cliff.

Rail

Varkala Railway Station, the second busiest and third highest revenue-generating station in Thiruvananthapuram district, is well connected by regular trains from and to major metropolitan cities in India like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad, Goa, Kolkata, Vishakapatnam, etc.

Road

Varkala is situated along the Thiruvananthapuram - Kollam coastal highway. It is also connected by the State Highway 64 with the Mumbai-Kanyakumari National Highway 66 which runs at 9km towards the east. Private buses and KSRTC buses ply along NH 66 and through Varkala from Thiruvananthapuram city, Attingal, Parippally, and Kollam city.

Water

Varkala is connected to National Waterway 3 through Varkala Tunnel, which passes through the heart of the city.

Tourism

Tourism began to thrive at the end of the last century at Varkala beach (Papanasam), which was earlier famous for Vavu Beli, a Hindu custom performed at the beach. Another beach is at Tiruvambadi, one kilometre away and on the way to the old palace. An island called Ponnumthuruthu is close to Varkala and is also a tourist attraction.

Many ayurvedic massage parlours line the promenade above the beach.[citation needed]

Varkala Beach

Varkala Beach, or Papanasam Beach, offers opportunities for sunbathing, swimming and water sports opportunities. Special authentic Kerala style local food can also be experienced along the cliff.[citation needed] The cliff and the beach include resorts, restaurants, and other shops. Varkala Beach is well known for its stunning sunsets, scenic cliffs, and vibrant beachside experiences.

The black part of the sand on Varkala Beach contains thorium oxide, which is a radioactive substance. Thorium and thorium oxide and its isotopes are found all over Kerala and can be identified by their black colour.

Cremations

Sections of Varkala Beach (Papanasam Beach) are used by Indians to scatter the ashes of their cremated relatives into the sea. Despite this burial activity, the sea is popular with swimmers both local and foreign.[citation needed]

Kappil Lake

Kappil Lake is about 4 kilometers (2.5mi) north of Varkala Town. This serene estuary meanders through dense coconut groves before merging into the Arabian Sea. The bridge over the lake is a vantage point to view the backwater stretching white and grey to the distant blue horizon. Boating is another way to browse this waterway.[citation needed]

Anjengo Fort

Anjengo Fort is a fort near Varkala. The historic significance tagged to Anjengo comes through foreign powers like the Portuguese, the Dutch, and finally the English East India Company. In the year 1684, the English East India Company chose Anjengo to establish their first trade settlement in Kerala. At Anjengo, one can find the remnants of the old English Fort, which was targeted several times by other foreign powers, who were at that time fighting each other to get a firm footing in Kerala. The fort is now under the protection of National Heritage Monuments. There is also a cemetery inside the fort and the oldest burial site dates to 1704. Muthalapuzhi Lake is situated in Anjengo.[citation needed]

Varkala Tunnel

Varkala Tunnel is an old tourist highlight. Its construction began in 1867 under the supervision of Travancore Diwan Sir. T Mahadeva Rao and was completed only in 1880, at the time of Diwan Sheshaya Sasthri. Varkala Lighthouse is another tourist highlight in the vicinity.[citation needed]

Religious sites

• Janardana Swami Temple

• Sarkara Devi Temple

• Sivagiri Mutt, an ashram

Climate

The Köppen-Geiger climate classification system classifies Varkala's climate as tropical monsoon. It has heavy rains during June–August due to a southwest monsoon. In summer, the temperature rises to a maximum of 32°C (90°F) and 31°C (88°F) in the winters. The highest temperature recorded in neighbouring Thiruvananthapuram is 39°C (102°F). Annual average rainfall is 3,100mm (120in).[citation needed]

See also

• Kovalam lighthouse beach