Located at 54 kms from Thiruvananthapuram, Varkala is a sea side resort and also an important Hindu centre of pilgrimage. It's a beautiful beach that has a more than 2000 years old shrine of Lord Vishnu. The 2000 year old Janardana Swamy Temple and the Nature Centre are the two main attractions here. A dip in the holy waters of this beach is believed to purify the body and the soul of all the sins hence the name 'Papanashini (destroyer of sin)' for this shore.