Varkala has an air of spirituality about it and its vibes which have a healing effect on its visitors. A prime pilgrimage centre in Kerala, Varkala has every feature to allure a person seeking spirituality. Its clean sandy beaches, red laterite cliffs, mineral water spring and various places of worship are just the perfect setting for a spiritual vacation.
History of Varkala
According to a mythological legend, a group of mendicants came to sage Naradad and made a revealation that they had committed a sin. Narada threw his Valkkalam, a piece of cloth made from the bark of a tree, into the air. Varkala was formed at the place where that piece landed. Under the guidance Narada, the mendicants offered prayers at the seashore of this new place. Now known as the Papanasham Beach, this beach is popular as the spot where prayers were offered for redemption. Today Varakala is considered to be a popular pilgrimagecentre for the Hindus.
Following are the popular places of worship in Varkala:
Janardhana Swamy Temple
Janardhana Swamy temple, also known as Varkala temple, is around 2000-years old, which makes it one of the oldest temples in Varkala. The resident of this temple is Janarshan Swami, a form of Lord Vishnu. Located at a distance of 45 km from the Thiruvananthapuram city and 37 km from Kollam, this is an important religious site in Varkala.
Sivagiri Mutt
Constructed in 1904, Sivagiri Mutt is located on a hilltop in Sivagiri near Varkala. This is the final resting place of the most distinguished leader, saint and social reformer of Kerala, Sree Narayana Guru who took his last breathe in 1928. Spread in 200 acres of land, every his Samadhi is flanked thousands of devotees, on the 30th December to 1st January in yellow attire. It is also the headquarters of the Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham, established by the Guru for the upliftment of lower castes. This place also becomes the venue of the Guru Deva Jayanti, the Guru’s birthday , every year in August and September that includes group wedding, processions, cultural shows, community feasts and more.
Sarkara Devi Temple
Sarkara Devi temple, a major pilgrim destination in Kerala, is dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali, whose idol is positioned towards the north inside the temple. Rectangular in shape, this temple has a roof covered with bronze. The temple becomes the venue of 2 very popular festivals- Kaliyoot and Meenabharani. The second story of this temple has innumerable idols of various important deities including those of Lord Krishna, Lord Rama, Goddess Durga, Lord Ganesha, Lord Vishnu, and more.
Kaduvayil Juma Masjid
Kaduvayil Juma Masjid, is a popular Sunni shrine, dedicated to Kaduvayil Thangal, a Muslim saint. Visited by people of other faiths, it is also known as Kaduvayil Thangal Juma Masjid or Kaduvayil Thangal Juma Dargah. Located on NH-47, this shrine every year attracts a large number of people every year. It is believed that the saint had miraculous powers and so he could solve all kinds of powers.
