In Varkala, in southern Kerala one can find spectacular cliffs adjacent to the Arabian Sea. These tertiary sedimentary formation cliffs are a unique geological feature in the otherwise flat Kerala coast, and this is known among geologists as Varkala Formation. They have been declared a geological monument by the Geological Survey of India. There are numerous water spouts and spas along the sides of these cliffs.

Varkala Cliff

View from Cliff

Papanasam Beach

Sivagiri Mutt

Janardhana Swamy Temple

Varkala Tunnel

A famous beach resort, Varkala is also noted for its 3,500 year old Janardhana Swamy Temple, which is an important Vaishnavaite shrine in India and is referred to as Dakshin Kashi (Benares of the South). The temple is located close to the Papanasam beach, which is considered to have holy waters which wash away sins, and is also an important Ayurveda treatment centre. The temple has an ancient bell removed from a shipwreck, donated by the captain of the Dutch vessel which sank near Varkala without causing any casualties.

Another major landmark in Varkala is the Sivagiri Mutt, established by the great social reformer Sree Narayana Guru. The hill-top mausoleum of Sree Narayana Guru is one of the most famous monuments in Kerala. The adjacent hills house the East-West University of Brahmavidya and Sree Narayana Gurukulam.

The Kaduvayil Thangal Dargah is another popular local pilgrim site. People, irrespective of religion visit this place to get the blessings of Kaduvayil Thangal, a muslim saint.

Another important feature of Varkala is the now dilapidated Varkala Tunnel, part of the TS Canal, which was an important waterway during pre-independence times.

Varkala is also a destination well-known for having a 'Nature Cure Hospital' – a government-run hospital using the local natural resources, near the Papanasam cliff. It is also home to the District Ayurvedic Hospital. Papanasam has a notable rocky cliff, the impressive structure being the third highest of its kind in Asia. Varkala (and indeed Kerlala) has a high literacy rate of above 90% and also is proud of its high standards of transportation, education, telecommunications and of course – hospitality.