Varkala has a beautiful tropic beach at the Arabian sea just 50 km north of Thiruvananthapuram and 200 km south of Cochin. It offers perfect beach life, Ayurvedic treatments, Yoga and meditation courses to its visitors. Varkala's sandy beach is very clean quite and has a natural spring. The seashore is a perfect place to sit back, relax and enjoy the warm climate and the Indian culture.

     Really spectacular is the unique ,scenic red cliff on the seashore with magnificent views, while sea eagles and dolphins are passing by. It is also a great starting point for trips to the famous backwaters, the colonial town of Cochin or the wild life sanctuaries, nicely situated in the green Nilgiri Hills.

    The main festivals, Onam and Vishu are celebrated in a grandeur manner. The Kathakali, Ottanthullal and music concerts are performed in the surroundings of the old Devaswom building during December and January.

    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. Thisplace 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.