The famous beach destination , Varkala is a religious center too. Like the white cliffs of Dover, the pink laterite cliffs on Papanasham Beach in Varkala offer panoramic views of the Arabian Sea. Springs of mineral water from the rock believed to have medicinal properties. A bath in the sacred waters of this beach (Papanasham Beach) and praying at the 1000-year-old temple Janardhana Swamy is said to cleanse one of all sins. The Sivagiri Mutt established by the great social reformer, Sree Narayana Guru is also nearby.