Varkala
Since 1684
Varkala is one of the most beloved tourist destinations in India’s Southern state of Kerala. Picturesque beaches and magnificent sea, moderate temperature and excellent weather most of the year, rich soil and incredible amount and variety of trees, plants and flowers, beautiful backwaters, Ayurvedic centers, a welcoming and laid-back atmosphere, rich food culture where vegan, vegetarian, meat and a wide variety of seafood options are widely available, friendly people and a developed tourist infrastructure make Varkala popular among travelers from all over the world. There are no noisy parties, as in Goa, and there are beaches mostly untouched by tourism where you can experience Indian life as it has been lived for thousands of years. People come to Varkala in search of peace, harmony, self-knowledge, healing and simply to enjoy being with themselves amidst incredible natural beauty. If you want to relax on the beach in comfort, and at the same time, get acquainted with real India, then Varkala is your ideal destination.
Season
The best time to visit Varkala is from the beginning of November to the end of March, when there is no rain, and the temperature stays at 30-35 ° C. The sea is very warm at this time, and the air temperature is comfortable enough to spend the whole day at the beach, and in the evening enjoy the coolness on the veranda, terraces, balcony, roof-tops or in specially designed lounge areas at InDa Boho’s Hotel.
How to get there
Varkala is located 50 km from the airport in the state capital of Trivandrum and 170 km from the airport in Kochi. Varkala is easily accessible from these cities by train, bus or taxi. For your convenience and peace of mind, InDa Family staff is happy to arrange your airport-transfer in air-conditioned vehicles.
Beach Life
Varkala deservedly bears the title of a resort town with the best beaches in all of India. The sea here is warm, the water is clean, the coastline is long and wide, and therefore even in the high season there is minimal crowd on the main beach at North Cliff. Here you can rent umbrellas and sun-beds, as well as surf and body-boards, and enjoy drinks, ice cream, Indian snacks and fresh coconut or fruit. If desired, you can find secluded places, such as Kappill beach or unique black volcanic sand beach that emerge from the water in December and January that is well known for its incredible healing properties. High waves make this town a favorite destination for surfers from all over the world.
Spiritual life
In Kerala, all religions are well represented and celebrated. There are beautiful Christian churches and cathedrals, Muslim mosques, and Tibetan Buddhist monastery and meditation centers near by. According to legends, Vishnu begged the Gods for a piece of land where the caste of the clergy from the militant kshatriyas could be protected. And then, the Gods raised Varkala right from the bottom of the ocean. Not surprisingly, this fishing village has become an important spiritual center of the country. There are a lot of Hindu temples and shrines here, healing springs are flowing directly from the coastal cliffs. Legends say that In Varkala, you need to be careful with your hidden desires because they instantly come true here. You can touch the spiritual life of local people from sea to land. To the south of the main tourist beach of Varkala is a sacred area known as Papanasam, which means “absolutions of sins”. Here the pilgrims perform rituals, known as pujas, and offer flowers wreaths into the water for blessings for themselves and their ancestors. Directly above this beach is the famous Sri Janardanaswami Temple, which is more than 2,000 years old. Pilgrimages from all over the world are made here to this day. Early Spring in Varkala is festival season where all temples hold festive celebrations where you can enjoy the sparkling illumination of kilometers of colorful lights, giant floats depicting popular Indian Gods and scenes from Vedic literatures, processions of live elephants, traditional costumes, music and dances, and special temple festival snacks, foods and drinks. This is the time when the entire village get together in celebration, to give thanks and appease the Gods for another peaceful and prosperous years. It is an experience not to be missed.
Food
To this day, Varkala remains a working fishing village and is famous for its fresh and delicious fish and seafood. Local restaurants offer a huge selection of seafood, from giant marlin to crabs and lobster, that is caught and served daily. In the evening time, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll along the cliff overlooking the sea where local restaurants proudly display their daily catch on ice. This has become a kind of entertainment and a learning opportunity in itself for guests and diners. You may also purchase seafood from the village market directly from the fisherman’s wives. Another major reason to visit Varkala is the availability and the wide selection of fresh fruit and vegetables. Papayas, mangos, passion fruit, mangosteen, lychee, watermelons, citrus fruits, the sweetest of pineapples, avocados and a huge variety of bananas are available in local shops and markets. Due to the fact that Varkala is a developed tourist destination, familiar ingredients and products, such as green, leafy vegetables, macaroni, cereals, muesli, granola, canned food, bread and cheeses are always available.
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