Varkala Beach & Sivagiri Mutt: Kerala’s Cliffside Natural and Spiritual Heritage

By George On

Varkala Beach is a famous beach along the Arabian Sea coast, near Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala state, India.

Varkala Beach                                                                                       Beach at Varkala

One beautiful beach at Varkala is the Papanasham Beach. It is believed that one can wash away his or her sins, by taking a dip on this beach. The word Papanasam means salvation from sins in the local language, Malayalam. Varkala Papanasham Beach is among the world’s top 100 beaches, as ranked by Lonely Planet in 2024.

Varkala is distinguished by its dramatic cliffs that run close to the Arabian Sea, a geological feature that is extremely rare in South India. Known as the Varkala Formation, these cliffs represent a unique natural landscape and have been recognised as the Natural Heritage of Varkala, following their submission to UNESCO on 27 August 2025. The cliff stretch is dotted with natural water spouts, spas, and scenic viewpoints, adding to its ecological and tourism value. Owing to its exceptional geological significance, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has classified the Varkala cliffs as the 27th Geological Monument of India, underscoring the need for conservation and sustainable tourism.

There are many restaurants near the waterfront. Many of the restaurants at the waterfront serve mouth-watering Kerala-style Fish curry and Fish fry. In conclusion, you will come across some of the best waterfront restaurants in Kerala, here at this Beach.

How Do I Go to Varkala Beach?

Roads to nearby cities connect Varkala town. Parippally Town, on the Salem-Kanyakumari National Highway 544 (previously called NH 47), is a town around 9 kilometers from the beach at Varkala.

The nearest railway station is at Varkala and is called Varkala Sivagiri railway station. Thiruvananthapuram City, the capital of Kerala state, is around 50 kilometers from Varkala. The nearest airport is the one in Kerala’s capital city. Kollam is another nearby town 35 kilometers away., where almost all trains stop.

Kovalam Beach in God’s Own Country is around 55 kilometers away from this Beach.

Tomb Site of The Great Social Reformer and Sage, Sree Narayana Guru, Sivagiri Mutt or Sivagiri Ashram

The famous Sivagiri Mutt, spread over 200 acres of land, where the tomb of ‘Sree Narayana Guru’ is situated, is one of the most popular pilgrimage centers in the state. Sree Narayana Guru practiced the Advaitha Philosophy, i.e., One caste, One religion, and One God for man. Sivagiri Mutt or Sivagiri Ashram is situated three kilometers distance from Varkala Town.

Goddess Saraswati, the deity at the Sharada temple, was consecrated by Sree Narayana Guru himself. There are no ‘tantric’ rituals at this temple. The temple has windows, unlike other Indian Hindu temples. Sharada temple has high hygienic standards set by Guruji (Sree Narayana Guru), which is still adhered to. All of these make the Sharada temple unique in many ways.

Is Accommodation Available Near Varkala Beach India?

Varkala Beach has many hotels; The Gateway Hotel at Janardhanapuram (also known as Taj Varkala) is a good Varkala hotel from the Taj group of hotels. Akhil Beach Resort, Hindustan Beach Retreat, Clafouti Beach Resort, Palm Tree Bungalow, Deshadan Cliff & Beach Resort, Palm Tree Heritage, Varkala Marine Palace, WoodHouse Beach Resort, Blue Water Beach Resort, Rajapark Beach Resort, etc, are some of the Varkala beach resorts.

Puthooram Ayurvedic Beach Resort, Krishnatheeram Ayur Holy Beach Resort, etc, are some of the leading Varkala Ayurvedic resorts.