The Sree Janardana Swamy Temple at Varkala which attracts a great number of devotees from all over the country. Sree Janardana Swamy Temple is located about two km. west of Varkala railway station (on the Trivandrum-Quilon line) atop a hill on the coast.
The presiding deity is Vishnu, and the idol including the lotus shaped platform is six feet in height. As per epic the idol was found from the southern sea coast. The sanctum sanctorum is round in shape and is facing east. Four poojas are conducted in a day abiding by Cherumukku thanthric.
Sree Janardana is said to have brought the holy Ganga here with the help of the 'Sudarasana Chakra'. The holy water collected is now known as Chakra Tirtha. The water used for the temple is from this source. It is widely believed that worship at this shrine cures many ills which explains why devotees come here from all over the country and even abroad including non-Hindus. The chief offering made is mukhacharthu and muzhukappu i.e. decorating the face and whole body respectively with sandal paste