Varkala Sree Janardana Swamy Temple
Varkala Sree Janardana Swamy Temple, (Chathur Bahu Vishnu) 3 kms
west of Kallambalam on NH 47 near sea, 25 kms north of Thiruvananthapuram,
Meenam, Uthram Aarattu. The beach here considered to be sacred place
to pithrubali (Oblations to the manes) pilgrims from all parts of
India gather here and to worship in the temple. The beach and the
cliff are tourist attractions.
Ph: 0474 2607575
This temple is situated on the seashore in Varkala at Trivandrum
district and is a Mahakshetra. The presiding deity is Vishnu, and
the idol including the lotus shaped platform is six feet in height.
As per epic the idol was found from the southern sea coast. The sanctum
sanctorum is round in shape and is facing east.
Four poojas are conducted in a day abiding by Cherumukku thanthric.
The chief priest should compulsorily be from another place, and should
not be a native of the place where the temple exists. Sub-deities
are Ganapathi, Shastha, Ananthakrishanan (Nagam) Shiv a, Chandikeshan,
Hanuman and Nagam. Ten days festival is observed with an arrattu on
the Uthram star day of the Malayalam month of Meena. Offering of Bali
here for the repose of souls is a very important ritual. As per Mahabharatha,
Balabhadran has come here for a pilgrimage.
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