Most
of india's finest beaches are in kerala. For virtually its entire 900 km
length, the kerala coast is lined with sandy beaches, rocky promontories and
coconut palms. The palm-lined beaches of kerala are renowned for the gentle
surf and azure blue waters. To this add a delectable seafood cuisine, a
smiling sun and frendly people to make an unforgetable holiday. Each year
greater numbers of visitors arrive here in search of the tranquil, palm
fringed beaches.
Payyambalam Beach :
2 kms from kannur this beach is a local picnic spot.
Shanghumukham Beach :
08 kms from Thiruvanathapuram, this is a favourite haunt of sunset
watchers. The beach is adjacent to the thiruvananthapuram airport and veli
tourist village. An indoor recreation club, the matsya kanyaka and a
restaurant shaped like a starfish are the major attractions here.
Somatheeram
Beach :
15 acres of green garden terraced heights sloping down to the sandy beach
stretching to the tranquil, turquoise sea changing colour and mood
momentarily as the white clouds sail past over it. This is the perfect beach
with a ayurvedic resort for all kind of ayurvedic treatments.
Thangasseri Beach :
5 km from kollam town, this seaside village of historic importance has the
ruins of an old portuguese fort and churches built in the 18 th century. The
thangasseri lighthouse is open to visitors from 1530-1730 hrs.
Thirumullavaram Beach :
6 km from kollam town, this secluded beach is a beautiful picnic centre and
has frequent bus connections to the town
Vallikunnu Beach :
A
beach resort set in the middle of a coconut grove is the main attraction
here. The kadalundi bird sanctuary is just a short distance away.
Varkala Beach :
South India is never really cool, but pleasantly warm in winter. So,
tourists usually visit Varkala beach during the month of October, as it is
cool and secluded. Varkala is 54 km from Thiruvananthapuram and 37 km from
Kollam.
Varkala beach is famous for mineral springs and a fantastic massage, so
don't forget to bring aromatherapy massage oil and sun protection. The
mineral springs here are said to have curative properties. The massage
technique has been a closely guarded secret for thousands of years, but for
many tourists it's a welcome revival from the toils of the road.
Varkala is an important Hindu pilgrim center. The 2000 year old Janardana
Swamy Temple and the Nature Center are the two main attractions of Varkala
Beach. A dip in the holy waters of Varkala beach is believed to pure the
body and the soul of all the sins hence the name 'Papanashini' (destroyer of
sin) for this shore.
At the break of dawn following the new moon in the Malayalam month of
'Karkidakam', thousands offer 'Vavu Bali', a ritual believed to help the
souls of ancestors rest in peace.
