Papanasham Beach Varkala

Papanasham Beach:

Varkala Beach,one of the famous tourist destinations in Kerala,is situated on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram district. This white sandy beach,of about 1 km stretched along the western coastline of India in the Arabian Sea, is around 51 km north of Thiruvananthapuram city.Visitors can enjoy a relaxing beach holiday without the crowds and bustle of some of the busier beaches in Kerala.Varkala Beach has a number of tourist attractions nearby.The mineral springs near the Varkala Beach are considered to have medicinal and curative properties and many people visit here to drink and bathe in the water from the mineral springs.The 2000 year old Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple is another major tourist attraction near the beach.

Getting There:

Nearest Bus Station:Varkala Bus Station
Nearest Railway Station:Varkala Railway Station
Nearest Airport:Trivandrum International Airport

Papanasam beach is a perfect place to watch the sunset or relax gazing at the horizon.The area is covered with coconut palms and small restaurants that mushroom during the season. This beach is bordered by high cliffs. Right below this cliff is the 500 -metre stretch beach.It is a quiet,clean and a secluded beach.The beach grew into prominence and caught the attention of tourists only recently.The long sandy beach,towering red laterite cliffs and soothing mineral springs have turned Varkala into a beautiful destination.

The Varkala Beach is otherwise known as the Papanasam Beach.It derives this name from the word 'Papanashini’ which means the destroyer of sins.It is believed that a dip in the holy waters of this beach purifies the body and the soul of all the sins.Thousands of pilgrims come to the Varakala Beach to pray and offer 'Vavu Bali', a ritual performed in honour of their ancestors and relatives and to help the departed souls rest in peace. Excellent accommodation facilities are available near the beach.

Papanasom is important for the Hindus.They come to drain the mortal remains of their dead relatives.Consigning the mortal remains of the dead relatives in the waters of a pilgrim centre is a sacred act by the Hindus,a way for redemption from sins.