Sri Janardhana Swamy Temple - Varkala - Kerala

Speciality

This temple is a good example of the Kerala architecture. The temple is situated on top of a small hill overlooking the sea. The presiding deity appears to be standing facing east and his right hand is raised to his mouth as if he is about eat. Some say that the hand seems to be getting closer to the Lord’s mouth and that if he eats that would be the end of the world.

History

Once when the sage Narada was singing Lord Vishnu was so mesmerized by the song that he followed Narada’s voice unobserved and reached Brahmaloka. When Lord Brahma saw Vishnu he at once fell to his feet. But Vishnu realizing that he was at Brahmaloka did not see Brahma at his feet and left at once. The Devas who came there saw Brahma at the feet of Narada and laughed at him.

Lord Brahma in anger cursed that the Devas shall be born as humans and suffer the mortal sufferings. Sage Narada told the Devas to do penance at Varkala to Lord Vishnu and attain immortality again. This place where they did their penance thus became the Janardhana Swamy temple.

Timings

The temple functions between 4.00 am to 12.00 pm and from 5.00 pm to 8.00 pm

Dress Code

No specific dress code is recommended for a visit to this temple. Still, costumes covering upper arms and legs are suggested as a mark of respect to the temple customs.

Festivals

Every year during the months of March – April, the Arattu festival is celebrated in at the temple. The festival commemorates with a flag hoisting and ends with the procession of grandly decorated elephants through the streets. Other than this the usual festivals which are celebrated in honor of the Lord Vishnu such as Ram Navami and Vaikunta Ekadashi are also celebrated here.