Varkala

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Varkala | type = city | latd = 8.733 | longd = 76.717
state_name = Kerala
district = Thiruvananthapuram
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude =
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 42,273| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone = 0470
postal_code = 695141
vehicle_code_range = KL-16
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website =
footnotes =

Varkala (Malayalam: unicode|വര്‍ക്കല) is a coastal town and municipality in Thiruvananthapuram district situated in the Indian state of Kerala. It is located 51 kilometres (approx. 32 miles) north of Thiruvananthapuram.

ights

Varkala is the only place in southern Kerala where one can find cliffs adjacent to the Arabian sea.fact|date=October 2007 These tertiary sedimentary formation cliffs are a unique geological feature in the otherwise flat Kerala coast, and is known among geologists as "Varkala Formation" and a geological monument as declared by the Geological survey of India. There are numerous water spouts and spas on the sides of these cliffs.

A famous beach resort, Varkala is also famous for its 3,500 year old Janardanaswamy 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 [http://www.narayanagurukula.org "Sree Narayana Gurukulam"] .

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.

Economy

Varkala is a well-known Tourist destination. The town has excellent telecommunication facilities, an average-rated water supply system, fire station, several post offices and police station. The town boasts of government-run modern medicine, ayurveda,and nature cure hospital in addition over 10 private hospitals, clinics and some dental clinics. The government-run nature cure hospital is also functioning near the Papanasam cliff.

The District Ayurvedic Hospital is also located in Varkala.

Varkala is the second most important railhead in the district of Thiruvananthapuram, after the Thiruvananthapuram Central Station. Varkala is an important hub for neighbouring places like Attingal, Kadakkavur, Edava, Kallambalam , Kappil, Parippally, and Kilimanoor.

Varkala now has a high literacy rate af above 90%.

Demographics

According to the 2001 census of India [GR|India] , Varkala has a population of 42,273. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Varkala has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 77%, and female literacy is 79%. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

People of Varkala are generally employed in service sector. A large proportion of them work outside India, mainly in the Middle East, Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, USA and the United Kingdom.Tourism started thriving since the end of last century at the varkala beach(Papanasam), which was earlier famous for Vavu Beli a Hindu custom performed at the beach. Another beach is at Tiruvambadi a kilometer away and en-route the old palace, Kuttikat Shastamvila Temple and Thekkevila GoldenSand buildings by vehicles or can be walked to via Helipad on the cliff. Majority of accommodations, food& cafe, ayurvedic parlours are found in this areas.

References