Purists consider this Temple as a Shiva Vishnu Aalayam since the Shrines of Maha Vishnu and Lord Shiva are found together within the same Temple premises. Sree Janardana Swami Temple is located at an elevated place in Varkala in Thiruvananthapuram District. This is one of the finest Vaishnavite Temples in Kerala and is located close to the Arabian Sea. Shri Janardhana Swami Temple is an East facing Temple and entry could be gained through 3 different entrances located in the West, East and North. It is believed that Lord Balarama, the elder brother of Lord Krishna had come here and visited the Shrine during His days. Some puritans believe that the ancient Janardanaswami Temple was inundated and submerged in tidel waves during a cyclonic catastrophe and that this new Temple was built during the times of the Pandya Kings. On entering the Temple through East there is a huge Banyan Tree beneath which several Naga Devatha Idols are kept and Prayed. Facing the Moolasthanam is a multi pillared Mandapam with tiled roofing. There is a Thulabaara facility within this Mandapam for the sake of the Devotees. Beyond it is a dazzling gold Dwajasthamabam or a Flag Staff. The Sanctum Sanctorum is gorgeously painted in various colours and the illuminated lighting lends a touch of modernity. On top of the entrance of the Moolasthana Mandapam Lord Janardhana Swamy is seen East facing in a standing posture and flanked by Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi on either sides. Sri Garudalwar, Sri Anjaneya Swami, a Sangu and a Chakkaram are also to be seen there. This Mandapam has two coloured Dwara Baalaka Idols and either side of them are the Images of Sri Narasimha Swamy and Maha Vishnu. Beyond it a Garudalwar and Anjaneyar have been intricately carved and embossed on the walls. There is another multi pillared Mandapam in which an Anaiya Vilakku is lit and enclosed in a glass panel. Close to this is a Neivedhya Peedam. On entering the Moolasthanam there are two Porches or Thinnai built of black granite stones. The Sanctum Sanctorum is circular in shape and is covered with tiled roofing. There are two golden coloured Dwara Baalakas on either side of the Moolasthanam. Here Sri Janardhana Swamy is seen East facing and in a standing posture with His right hand gesticulating as if He is doing the Sacred Aachamanam. To the North of the Moolasthanam is the Shivan Shrine. There is a small four pillared Namaskaara Mandapam facing the Sanctum Sanctorum and on the tip of this four pillered Mandapam is a small Vaahanam facing the Shivan Moolasthanam. The threshold of the Shiva's Shrine has been embellished with gold platings and two Dwara Baalakas are seen standing guard on either side. This Shivan Sannadhi is East facing and He is found in the form of a Shiva Lingam. Two golden coloured Images of Mahadevar and Natarajar are fixed to the outer walls of the Shiva's Shrine and both look eye captivating. There is a huge and Sacred Nagalinga Tree which is considered very auspicious. The outer peripheral of the Temple has a mini stage where several Devotees could be made to sit. This place is now used as an Annadhana Koodam. There is a East facing Sub Shrine for Ganapathy, and close to it is another East facing Sub Shrine where Sastha is seen in a sitting posture. Closeby is another East facing Sub Shrine for Nagaraja Swamy. The top of the Moolasthanam facing the Western entrance has a lovely coloured Idol of Gajalakshmi. There is a glowing 7 tiered oil lamp facing the Gajalakshmi. The Temple has its own Madapalli or Temple Kitchen. The Temple Office has various counters for different Sevas. Devotees coming through the North entrance are constrained to climb around 20 steps to reach this Temple. There is a small Welcome Arch here and on top of it are the Idols of Sri Rama, Seetha, Lakshmana and Anjaneyar. The inner and outer walls of the Temple are facilitated so that Devotees could light up Ghee Lamps all over. This Temple is revered and very Sacred for those who come here to atone for their sins in not having performed the annual rituals for their Forefathers. Therefore this Temple is considered as a Pithru Dosha Parihaara Sthalam.

Temple Timing: 5.30 AM to 12 Noon and 5 PM to 8 PM

Contact Number: Ambi 96455 41522, Hari 94954 04505 and 0470 2602295

Distance from Thriuvananthapuram to Varkala is 41 Kms

Distance from Anchal to Varkala is 37 Kms

Distance from Paravur to Varkala is 13 Kms

Distance from Kollam to Varkala is 27 Kms

Distance from Ambalamkunnu to Varkala is 29 Kms

Distance from Neyyantinkara to Varkala is 70 Kms

Distance from Marthandam to Varkala is 83 Kms

Distance from Colachel to Varkala is 101 Kms

Distance from Asaripallam to Varkala is 109 Kms

Distance from Aralvaimozhi to Varkala is 124 Kms

Distance from Thirupathisaaram to Varkala is 115 Kms

Distance from Thiruvattar to Varkala is 89 Kms

Distance from Puliyarai to Varkala is 88 Kms

Distance from Tenkasi to Varkala is 103 Kms

Distance from Kadayam to Varkala is 120 Kms

Distance from Ambasamudhram to Varkala is 138 Kms

Distance from Thirunelveli to Varkala is 190 Kms

Distance from Madurai to Varkala is 282 Kms

Distance from Chennai to Varkala is 722 Kms

Nearest Railway Station is Varkala R.S.