#Best 10 #Beaches in #India

Time to experience some sun, sand, and sea on the exotic coastlines of India. What is the best thing about beaches? Is it the sweltering sunrays that fall straight on the sea bed, the sparkling sand that covers the entire beach area or the incredibly beautiful sea that cover almost 70 % of the Earth surface? Well, it is a combination of all three of them, which perk up the beauty of beaches in India and make them look naturally appealing. India is gifted with some of the best beaches in the world scattered all over India’s 7500-kilometre long coastline . I’m sorting through the best beaches in our country out of 215 beaches to kick back and relax., here are the Top 11 beaches that will leave you surprised and satisfied with India’s coastal beauty and offer everything from action to solitude, and of course parties.

1. Varkala beach

Blessed with sun kissed beaches, placid lagoons and silvery sands, Kerala is one of the internationally known destinations for beach tourism. Both the northern and the southern parts of Kerala draw tourists with their sun-drenched beaches.Varkala Beach, also known as Papanasam beach is a beach in Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, along the Arabian Sea, part of the Indian  and ten kilometers away from Varkala, is renowned for the natural spring. It is considered to have medicinal and curative properties. A haven for sun-bathing and swimming, the beach offers picturesque evening views that extend over the Arabian Sea.Lying along the edge of stunning cliffs, Varkala Beach is located an hour’s drive north of Trivandrum in Kerala. The mineral spring that flows from the cliff at the southern end of the beach is believed to have medicinal properties.More>>

2.  Gokarna Beach : Best Secluded Beach:

Gokarna, is a very touristic small town centered around temples with pilgrims coming throughout the year and tourists -indians, russians and europeans - coming from december to february for the beaches. The name Gokarna, means cow's ear (go=cow karna=ear) in Sanskrit and is based on Hindu mythology. It draws both pious pilgrims and hedonistic holiday makers with equal enthusiasm.Gokarna is known as one of the seven important Hindu pilgrimage centers. It is on what was once an unspoiled beach near the estuary of the river Aghanashini. Recently, due to the number of tourists, the character of the town has changed; it is no longer just a center of pilgrimage, though large numbers of devotees visit to offer prayers and worship to Lord Shiva.More>>  

3. Palolem Best Picturesque Beach:
Palolem is undoubtedly one of Goa’s most postcard-perfect beaches: a gentle curve of palm-fringed sand facing a calm bay.Picturesque Palolem Beach, enclosed by a thick forest of coconut palms in far south Goa, is arguably the state's most beautiful beach. This mile long, shady, semi-circle shaped beach continues to grow in popularity every year, and it's become very lively with the diverse crowd that it attracts.The atmosphere is vibrant and there’s plenty to do. Palolem is one of the safest swimming spots in Goa and you can comfortably kayak and paddleboard for hours here More>>   

4. Tarkarli  : Best Beach for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
"Tarkarli in South of Konkan (100 kms from North Goa) is one of the most sought after destination for travellers other than Maharashtra and Goa for the Cuisine, homestays, Idyllic beaches, shore temples and adventure sports / activities (Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Dolphin rides, watersports etc.) Tarkarli village is famous for its Ramnavmi Utsav. Ramnavmi is celebrated every year in Mahapurush Temple of the village. Tarkarli is a small stretch of beach with Devbaug beach to its south and the Sindhudurg sea fort to its north.Tarkarli beach has the finest white sand beach in the entire stretch of Konkan beaches.More>> 

5. Agonda : Best Beach for Doing Nothing

Agonda Beach is a fine 2km stretch of white sand framed between two forested headlands.Agonda is a great spot for sunbathing, relaxing and swimming, with still relatively few tourists. Agonda is a nice long pristine stretch of beach. Though the waters here might not be the most ideal place for swimming (you have better beaches with calm waters in Goa), Agonda is definitely a place for those who want to quit on a Monday morning. Agonda is generally cheaper, quieter, hassle-free and has much less "touristic" feel. Stay in a simple hut right on the beach, and enjoy the stillness and nature. The rear of the beach is lined with shacks and small shops but apart from that, there's not much else to do apart from eat, drink, swim, and chill. More>> 

6. Arambol Beach: Best Beach for Hippies and Musicians

The Arambol Beach located 50 kms from Panaji is a pristine and secluded beach in the North Goa and can be approached by a winding road through the groove of cashew trees. The Arambol Beach extends over 16 km and consists of two beaches, more popular is the main beach (Harmal beach), the northernmost beach in Goa . The second, more picturesque beach lies beyond the rocky circlet and can only be reached on foot and is bordered by steep cliffs on both sides. The main beach is long stretch of curving sand is good for swimming. It is a place perfect for people looking for peace and tranquility. The cliffs near the beaches are popular for paragliding and dolphin watching boat trips. More>>

7.  Ashvem : Best Trendy Beach

Ashvem located in North Goa on a virgin strip overlooking the tranquil Arabian Sea, is a feast for the eyes and taste-buds.Ashwem Beach, hidden away in 2 acres of lush palm grove, sheltered by the sand dunes and facing directly west. The beach is a long sandy crescent around the sapphire-blue sea, almost like a picture postcard come to life. Milky surf foaming along golden sands, graceful palm-trees swaying in the breeze. Ashvem is home to the trendiest clubs, hippest shacks and a buzzing nightlife with a fair share of nature’s bounty of dolphins and turtles. Ashvem is an easy drive from the Airport. More>>

8. Baga beach : Best Commercial Beach

The beach is named after the Baga Creek, which empties into the Arabian Sea at the north end of the beach .This is part of a 30 km stretch of beach coastline along the west coast of Goa that begins at Fort Aguada continues as Sinquerim Beach, then as Candolim Beach and merges into Calangute Beach and then to Baga beach and then Anjuna Beach and then to Vagator Beach finally ending at Chapora Beach and Fort.The Baga River flows down from one side offering a pleasant for children and those who love the water but can't risk the rip currents that swirl round the mouth...More>> 

9. Kovalam :  Best Beach with a Lighthouse

Fringed by headlands that rise steeply above the shore, Kovalam is almost completely covered by coconut palms. Of the three small bays separated by rocky outcrops, the southernmost, known as the Lighthouse Beach, is the most popular. The lovely old lighthouse that gives the beach its name is the Vizhinjam Lighthouse. Edakallu, a rocky headland separates Eve’s or Howah Beach from the Lighthouse Beach. The hill that separates Howah Beach from the third of Kovalam’s celebrated beaches houses the Government Guest House and the Halcyon Castle, a palace.

Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach with three adjacent crescent beaches. It has been a favourite haunt of tourists, especially Europeans, since the 1930s. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing.More>> 

10. Radhanagar Beach, Andaman and Nicobar Islands :  Best Remote Beach

With snow-white beaches, teal shallows, a coast crammed with beach huts and some of the best diving in South Asia, Havelock has a well-deserved reputation as a backpacker paradise. For many, Havelock is the Andamans, and it’s what lures most tourists across the Bay of Bengal, many of whom are content to stay here for the entirety of their trip Havelock Island (Hindi: हैवलॉक द्वीप, Malayalam: ഹെയ്വ്ലോക് ദ്വീപുകള്‍), with an area of 113.93 km2, is the largest of the islands that comprise Ritchie's Archipelago, a chain of islands to the east of Great Andaman in the Andaman Islands.More>>

#Varkala#Beach in #Kerala

Blessed with sun kissed beaches, placid lagoons and silvery sands, Kerala is one of the internationally known destinations for beach tourism. Both the northern and the southern parts of Kerala draw tourists with their sun-drenched beaches.Varkala Beach, also known as Papanasam beach is a beach in Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, along the Arabian Sea, part of the Indian  and ten kilometers away from Varkala, is renowned for the natural spring. It is considered to have medicinal and curative properties. A haven for sun-bathing and swimming, the beach offers picturesque evening views that extend over the Arabian Sea.Lying along the edge of stunning cliffs, Varkala Beach is located an hour’s drive north of Trivandrum in Kerala. The mineral spring that flows from the cliff at the southern end of the beach is believed to have medicinal properties.

A two thousand year old shrine the Janardhanaswamy Temple stands on the cliffs overlooking the beach, a short distance away. The Sivagiri Mutt, founded by the great Hindu reformer and philosopher Sree Narayana Guru (1856 - 1928) is also close by. The Samadhi (the final resting place) of the Guru here attracts thousands of devotees every year during the Sivagiri Pilgrimage days - 30th December to 1st January. Sree Narayana Guru propagated the ideology: "one caste, one religion and one god", in a society torn by the taboos of caste systemA paved footpath runs along the length of the cliff, bordered by coconut palms, quaint shops, beach shacks, hotels, and guest houses. Nestled at the bottom of the cliff is a long stretch of sparkling beach, reached by steps leading down from the cliff top.

Location

Varkala is located south of Kollam, around one hour north of Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram), in India's southern state of Kerala.

Must Do at Varkala

Varkala is a wonderful place to relax and rejuvenate. It's well known for its dramatic sunsets. Settle into one of the beach shacks with a drink, and you'll have an uninterrupted view of the sun as it slowly sinks down the horizon. The beach is believed to have medicinal and curative properties and a dip in its waters is believed to purge the body of all impurities.

Varkala offers excellent accommodation facilities for tourists and is fast becoming a popular health resort with many Ayurvedic massage centres.You'll also find plenty of places specializing in yoga and Ayurvedic therapies. Yoga with Haridas classes are popular at the Green Palace Hotel on the cliff .For traditional Hatha yoga, head to Kasi Yoga Gurukulam Absolute Ayurveda is recommended for Ayurvedic treatments as too are Sanjeevani Ayurveda and Yoga Center and Doctors Ayurveda and Yoga Center.

Meditation and art/creative workshops are also offered from time to time. Shop 'til you drop at the endless rows of huts lining the cliff, stocking everything from jewelry to handicrafts. Or, try Khan's cooking class at Cliff Lounge Guesthouse .

Beaches

The swimming in Varkalas' beach is superb, clear crisp and of course warm waters great you with a reasonable amount of surf for body surfing or boogie boards.

Varkala's main beach is called Papanasam Beach -- which means destroyer of sins. The beach is divided into two parts, with the southern area at the end of the road leading from the Janardhana Swamy Temple considered sacred to Hindus. It's where they come to perform the last rites after close relatives have died.

The tourist part of the beach is located further north. There's also another small beach with black sand (affectionately called the Black Beach) near the coconut grove where the cliff ends in the far north, past Papanasam Beach.

Just further north of Black Beach, quiet Odayam Beach is just starting to be discovered and developed. Head there if you want peace and quiet away from the action.

Nightlife and Parties

Night life is mellow and most venues are closed by 11:00pm, some may offer dance or live must. Varkala night life is happening. Many variety of excellent fruits are grown in Kerala, particularly the coconut and banana are local favorites there are over 80 variety of banana grown in Kerala, look out for the famed 'red banana' that has a sweet taste like strawberries. Nepal bakeries have take then evening away in Varkala serving sweet milk chai to go with it a stop at the little Tibet bakeries and restaurant is must. Apple pie and chocolate brownies will keep you occupies doe the wee hours. Molly Curry is a non spices local dish. Polachi fish banana leave wrap

The nightlife in Varkala is quite laid back. Some beach shacks, such as Rock n Roll, do have parties and play music late into the night. However the party scene is restricted by complaints from nearby hotels about the noise, and also the prohibition of alcohol. 

Dangers and Annoyances

Varkala has undergone a dramatic amount of growth in just few years to be transformed from sleepy village into sought after beach destination. This has had a significant impact on the locals. Females should take particular care around local men, as incidents of drunkenness and groping are common. Many foreign women also end up being charmed by the staff from the beach shacks, who usually end up wanting money or are married. Begging and hawking are becoming issues as well. Also bring a flashlight as power cuts are prevalent. At the beach, swimmers should be aware of strong currents and not swim out too far.

Travel Tips

During the monsoon season it's therefore best to stay at the northern end of the cliff near the Black Beach, while in peak season, the southern end of the cliff provides the easiest access to Papanasam Beach as the stairs leading down the cliff are located there. This end of the cliff is also quieter.

It's cheaper to stay away from the cliff, at the Indian southern end of Papanasam Beach, however the cliff isn't easily accessible from this area (which suits people who want to avoid the crowds!). The Indian end of Papanasam Beach also remains isolated from the tourist part of the beach until the monsoon fully retreats and the beach completely opens up. Therefore if you want to go up to the cliff from there, it's necessary to take an auto rickshaw.