JANARDHANA SWAMI TEMPLE

About 2000 years old, the Janardhana Swami Temple is located on a steep hill at the entrance of the beach road. Facing the Papanasam beach, the temples’ proximity to the sacred water adds to the spiritual context.The temple reeks of architectural splendour and aesthetic appeal. The sanctum sanctorum is spectacular - it is circular, surmounted by copper sheets in a conical dome shape and wooden carvings of the nine planets on the ceiling.

The pilgrims are welcomed by a magnificent banyan tree and idols of numerous serpent gods and goddesses. The lower part of the mandapa found before the temple has an inscription engraved dating back to 1252. The entrance hosts radiant idols of Garuda, Hanuman and Lord Shiva. Devotees folk to the temple to pray to Lord Vishnu.

The main temple festival Arattu attracts a lot of visitors in March and April. During Karkidaka Vavu, the priests help devotees to pay homage to their ancestors.In the evenings, the architecture comes to life when the oil trays in the granite posts, hanging from the ceilings hold lighted wicks.

Location: Near Papanasam Beach, VarkalaVarkala, Kerala 695141

Timings: 5:30 am to 12:00 pm and 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.About 2000 years old, the Janardhana Swami Temple is located on a steep hill at the entrance of the beach road. Facing the Papanasam beach, the temples’ proximity to the sacred water adds to the spiritual context.The temple reeks of architectural splendour and aesthetic appeal. The sanctum sanctorum is spectacular - it is circular, surmounted by copper sheets in a conical dome shape and wooden carvings of the nine planets on the ceiling.

The pilgrims are welcomed by a magnificent banyan tree and idols of numerous serpent gods and goddesses. The lower part of the mandapa found before the temple has an inscription engraved dating back to 1252. The entrance hosts radiant idols of Garuda, Hanuman and Lord Shiva. Devotees folk to the temple to pray to Lord Vishnu.

The main temple festival Arattu attracts a lot of visitors in March and April. During Karkidaka Vavu, the priests help devotees to pay homage to their ancestors.In the evenings, the architecture comes to life when the oil trays in the granite posts, hanging from the ceilings hold lighted wicks.

Location: Near Papanasam Beach, VarkalaVarkala, Kerala 695141

Timings: 5:30 am to 12:00 pm and 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.