Chronicles of Kerala

After weeks of discussions, Sukhi akka, Suthra akka, Daivik, and I, guided by our elders, finally settled on Varkala for our getaway.  

With barely any sleep, we managed to wake up early, catch the 6 AM flight to Trivandrum, and officially kick-start the adventure. First task upon landing? Changing into a lungi right at the airport so we wouldn’t waste time doing it near the temple.  

Breakfast at Aryas Grand was solid, setting us up for the temple visit. The darshan was smooth, giving us just enough time to soak in the serene atmosphere before moving on.  

Before leaving Trivandrum, we made another stop at the Padmanabhaswamy Temple—not for another darshan, but to admire its grand entrance. This temple, one of the richest in the world, is famous for its mysterious, treasure-filled vaults.  

The ride to Varkala led us to our Airbnb—a compact yet cozy space tucked into narrow lanes. A quick refresh, then off to InDa Café for lunch.  

Then, as if Kerala wanted to put us to the test, the rain arrived—heavy enough to drench us before we even realized what was happening. No umbrellas. No backup plan. Just soaked cousins navigating slippery streets, dodging muddy puddles with mission-impossible-level precision.  

Later in the evening, we hit the beach, got wet again (at this point, it felt inevitable), and returned tired yet somehow still buzzing with energy. Dinner was handled via a Zomato order, but drinks? That required effort. Sukhi akka and I ventured out to a nearby hotel to grab them, along with plates.  

The night ended with food, laughter, and finally, sleep.  

A Morning in Varkala 

Morning walks in Varkala are on another level—up and down cliffs, past stretches of golden sand, until we reached Sarva Café, perched perfectly to give us a breathtaking ocean view over breakfast.  

Beach time followed, where we walked along the shore and collected seashells as keepsakes. A simple thing, but one that felt just right.  

The afternoon was all about unwinding—verbal games, conversations, and casual food orders before heading out again.  

A rickshaw ride took us to Black Sand Beach for sunset, and the walk back was an experience in itself—a cinematic cliffside path with the vast ocean on one side and buzzing cafés and high-end resorts on the other.  

Freshening up, we had dinner at a German café and finally got some shopping done. The girls grabbed some clothes but I forgot to pick up magnets. Priorities, right?  

Varkala’s name comes from an interesting legend. It is said that when a group of pilgrims approached Sage Narada, confessing their sins, he threw his valkalam (a loin cloth made from tree bark) into the air. It landed in this scenic coastal village, and Narada instructed them to pray at the spot for redemption. Thus, the place became known as Varkala, derived from valkalam.  

Another legend speaks of a Pandyan king instructed by Lord Brahma to build a temple here to atone for his sins. That temple, the Janardana Swami Temple, is over 2,000 years old and is often called the Dakshin Kashi—the Benares of the South. I had visited it on a previous trip to Kerala.  

Historically, Varkala was also an important trade port, known as *Balita* in ancient Greek manuscripts like The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea.

The next morning, we woke up late, hopped into the waiting cab, and grabbed breakfast before heading out. We visited Anchuthengu Fort and took a long walk near the beach, where we stumbled upon what seemed like an expansion project under construction.  

Our journey continued with a boat ride through mangrove forests, spotting birds like the snakebird and kingfisher. A brief stop at the water border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu gave us a chance to sip some fresh coconut water before moving on.  

Before heading back to Trivandrum, I finally remembered to grab magnets (and chips—because priorities).  

Our last stop? The towering Azhimala Shiva Statue, standing impressively against the coastal backdrop, giving off some serious Murudeshwar vibes.  We could not visit the temple as it was closed.

At the airport, overpriced food greeted us, along with an unexpected sighting—Ravi Pillai’s private jet casually parked there.  

Kerala had given us a packed, memorable trip, but all adventures must end. We landed, my dad picked us up, and a final meal at Anand Sweets wrapped up the journey on a high note.  

In my previous solo trip to Kerala, I had mentioned many things—but not this.  

The name Kerala comes from the Malayalam word Keralam, meaning "land of coconuts." The abundance of coconut trees across the state earned it this name.  

There’s also a mythological origin—Kerala is believed to have been created by Sage Parashurama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Legend says he threw his axe into the sea, and as the waters receded, the land that is now Kerala emerged.