For many travelers, musicians, and tech gurus, a visit to India coincides with tremendous inspiration and personal transformation. While many first-time visitors to the country stay north, Kerala’s golden beaches in southern India are another top-notch destination for your first trip to the country — and they’re far less chaotic than the major cities. If you’re looking for that perfect combination of sun, beaches, tasty Indian cuisine, and an environment for personal growth, the stunning beach city of Varkala in the southwestern state of Kerala should be at the top of your India bucket list.
Like Ubud in Bali, Indonesia, Varkala’s history is etched in Hindu myth and legend. One story centers on a dream by a Pandayan king, who was visited by Lord Brahma and told to build a temple for redemption; this ancient temple, Janardhana Temple, still stands today in South Varkala and is a popular destination for pilgrims. In another legend, a group of pilgrims confessed to Saint Narada, a Hindu sage, that they had sinned. He tossed his valakam – a bark loincloth — and the place where it landed was called Varkala.
While Kuta, Ubud, and Canggu in Bali are crowded, masses of tourists have not yet reached Kerala or its capital, Thiruvananthapuram, commonly called Trivandrum. The quiet region, however, is no backwater; Kerala is one of the most developed states in the country and is, perhaps surprisingly, led by the local Communist Party. Socially, the state leads in education and English proficiency. However, its public transportation infrastructure lags.
Kerala’s golden beaches
Within Kerala, Varkala sits atop red cliffs overlooking the Arabian Sea and golden beaches. In the last decade, tourism has grown rapidly, though Varkala is still peaceful; many Hindu travelers visiting the city are on a pilgrimage, searching for renewal, while foreign visitors often seek a deeper sense of self while contemplating the mysteries of life or possibly how long they’ll be staying.
One of Varkala’s most popular beaches is Papanasam Beach, a few hundred yards from the city’s helipad and several small guesthouses, yoga studios, and chai houses. As the word “papam” means “sin” and “nasam” means “destroy” in the local Malayalam language, local and Hindu pilgrims frequently visit here to take a dip and cleanse their spirits. The beach is a great spot to try paragliding, watch local fishing boats, catch plenty of rays, watch stunning sunsets, or even rent a paddleboard and explore the shoreline.
If you’d prefer to be active on the water or to have more peace and quiet, head a few miles south to Kayikkara and go on a kayak or standup paddleboard tour with Shiva Kayaking, where trips start at 650 rupees ($7.60) per person. You’ll have the option to either paddle out to sea or through a mangrove and visit Ponnumthuruth Shiva Parvati Vishnu Temple on Golden Island (bring long-sleeved clothing). Before heading to the beach, be sure to grab enough rupees. If you realize you need cash once you’re there, the nearest ATM to both beaches is over one mile away. Be cognizant of where you take out cash and use your card, as card skimming and other types of credit card fraud are unfortunately rampant in India.
Food and activities for the soul
