VARKKALA

VARKALA BEACH - has mineral water springs and their medicinal properties is one of the reasons why this is one of the most popular beach resorts in Kerala. Many people come here to drink the mineral water and bathe in it for health reasons. These waters gush out of the high clifs which border the beach.It is about 34 miles from Thiruvananthapuram, (formerly Trivandrum), the capi.tal of Kerala. It is quiet and peaceful, though not isolated. It is considered the best spot in Kerala for watching the sunset.

r watching the sunset.

SIVAGIRI SARATHA MUTT -According to the Indian concept, the goddess Saraswathy is the prime goddess of knowledge. But there are very few temples in Kerala with Saraswathy prathishta. Sivagiri Sarada Mutt was planned and designed by Gurudev who took a particular interest in it. Ordinary temples do not have windows. Gurudev called this temple, which is octagonal in shape, Sarada Mutt.

Here unlike in other temples, there is no nivedyam (offering of food to the deity) or abhishekam (pouring oil, ghee and such on the idol). Devotees can worship the goddess by reciting hymns. The idol of Saraswathy seated on white lotus is the symbol of "knowledge blossoming on whiteness or purity".Gurudev performed the pratishta of the deity at Sarada Mutt on the full moon day in April 1912.

SAMADHI