A quiet seaside destination on the shores of the Arabian Sea, Varkala is, with each passing day, becoming a favorite destination of tourists from various parts of India and abroad. The beach offers a magnificent view of the sun rise and sun set that few destinations in kerala boast of.
Situated in Trivandrum district and 40 kms from the capital city, Varkala is also an important Hindu pilgrimage center being the eternal resting place of the eminent social reformer Sri Narayana Guru.
It is believed that a group of devout pilgrims approached Narada, a saint of ancient times and confessed to having sinned. Narada threw his valkalam (cloth made out of the bark of a tree) and it landed at a place near the seashore. This place was thus given the name 'varkala'.
Narada directed his devotees to offer prayers at the beach where the valkalam landed. This place then came to be known as 'Papanasam' meaning redemption from sins.
