Janardana Swami temple, Varkala, Kerala India

Janardana Swami Temple located in Varkala Kerala is an ancient temple of about 2000 year old . The temple is located to famous Papanasam beach of varkala, which is believed to be of medicnal value and people believes that it washes away the sins commited in this birth. Located Near Sea Shore of mighty Arabian Sea Janardana Swami Temple is also coined as Dakshin Kashi. Janardhan Swami is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu the main deity of this temple.

Rituals
Offering obeisances to the departed souls and forefathers is a very important ritual. Four poojas are conducted in a day by the priest. 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, Ananthan (Nagam) Shiva, Chandikesha, and Hanuman. A ten day festival with Arattu is conducted on the Malayalam month of Meenam on the day of Uthram.

Legends
There are various myths and stroies behind the origin of this temple. Among them the most famous is the tale of Lord Brahma and Sage Narada. Once Lord Vishnu and Sage Narada were exploring in the sky over Varakal, where Lord Brahama came and greeted Lord Vishnu . The nine prajapathis or the nine planets were watching this and they laughed at this as they thought that Lord Brahama is saluting to Sage Narada. Seeing this he cursed devas to be born as humans in the earth. On realizing their mistake the planets aked forgivness from Lord Brahama. Lord Brahama told them that they can do redemption by praying praying to please Lord Janardana. Asking about where they should start there prayer Lord Brahama told them wherever Sage Narada Vastra (piece of clothe)falls that will be the place. That is how that Varkala Name came from the Vastra that fell here. The Devas prayed for Janardana Swami and were relieved from curse.

Temple Architecture
Architectural Splendour of this temple is also one of the admiring thing that this pilgrimage center attracts tourist and devottes here apart from being an important temple .Temple is facing to the Papanasam beach and there is a high entrance arch with tiled roof. Various idols of several serpent gods and goddesses are also there . The temple has circular sanctum sanctorum surmounted by a conical dome of copper sheets. Wooden carvings of Navagrahas or the nine planets can be seen on the ceiling of the square shaped mandapa or pavilion has .There is a pool called "Chakra Theertha" on the northern part of the temple which is about 240 ft in circumference.