Varkala Papanasam beach near Thiruvananthapuram is a UNESCO world heritage site Hindus consider holy. Nearby is the Sivagiri Mutt monument, which memorialises the social reformer Sree Narayana Guru, who was cremated here.

The beautiful coastal beauty attracts visitors to Varkala. The sea against the backdrop of a natural cliff adjacent to the sea draws tourists here.

In April, a portion of the vulnerable cliff was knocked down and levelled using JCBs in connection with the tourism department’s toilet construction work. Geromic George IAS, the district collector, allegedly indulged in this illegal act upon orders from Kerala tourism minister PA Mohammed Riyas (married to CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s daughter Veena).

The toilet block constructed in Papanasam required more soil to level the floor. Instead of bringing earth from outside, the workers used JCBs to knock down a part of the hill. After noticing the incident, the locals intervened and stopped the encroachments.

These toilets are being constructed directly atop where lakhs of Hindu devotees come to offer prayers and Balitarpanam (Pitru Tarpan). Ward councillors and locals said there is a high possibility that it will slide down the hill, cause an accident and desecrate the Hindu Punyabhoomi. The evil scheme would have ensured leakages during the monsoons when human excrement would drench devotees.

Following the complaint, the municipal assistant engineer and the police reached the spot and stopped the construction work.

Such actions led to massive landslides in the Varkala Papanasam hills, and the administration just looked on. By late May, when the rains began, landslides increased, and the cliff gave way in four places in a single day.

Parts of the hill collapsed and fell about 30 meters. These craters were over 15 meters wide and three to eight meters wide. Even in previous years, the cliff has not collapsed to such an extent. As the rains intensify, a large part is still liable to crumple. Tourists and devotees do not know the danger lurking here.

Tunnels have also been dug into the hills. Swimming pools without a distance limit of even five meters have been constructed. Tourists use several concrete steps to descend from the top of the cliff to the coast.

Illegal constructions using bamboo, iron bars, and cement are common in the hills. A special section extending to the hillside for sea views is made of iron bars. The local government has ignored this construction activity, increasing the risk.

The tourism department does not interfere in the matter. The practice over the years is to be ready to take action only when disaster strikes and then forget all about it. Many nature lovers have occasionally complained to the District Collector and Director of Tourism, but no action has been taken.

Political parties and government officials conspire to help illegal constructions. The North-South Cliffs have entirely transformed into business/ tourist centres in the last ten years. The government gets very little income from these in the form of taxes.

Central Minister Suresh Gopi Intervenes

Last Saturday, the central Minister of State for Tourism, Suresh Gopi, visited Varkala Cliff and promised protection. He also informed us that the report would be submitted to the Central Ministries after discussing the matter with the officers of the Geology Department and the District Collector.

Further action will also be taken based on the Central Ministries’ advice. Tourism can be developed by protecting the cliff, said Suresh.

The central minister said he is ready to discuss the issue with Kerala tourism minister Riyas. Earlier, Riyas said he would accompany Suresh Gopi to visit Varkala Cliff, but later displayed arrogance and failed to turn up at Papanasam.

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) will submit a report to the central government after evaluating the current situation regarding protecting Papanasam hills. For this, a team of experts from Kolkata will reach Varkala in the coming days.

After visiting the landslide-prone areas, a preliminary report will be given in the first week of July. GSI Kerala Division Deputy Director General Dr. V. Ambili said a detailed study report will be submitted to the central government within six months.

Varkala Papanasam

Along the Varkala coast lies Papanasham (papam is sin and nasham is the destruction) beach. Malayalis have been arriving at Papanasam Beach for centuries to offer homage and sacrifices to the dead.

Once they merge with Bhagwan Shiva, a month on earth is believed to be a day for our ancestors. Karkitaka Vavu is observed on the day of the Amavasya (the first new moon after the ecliptic equinox). Karkidakam is a month of the Malayalam calendar that begins in mid-July.

Balitarpanam (Pitru Tarpan) on Karkidakavav day is essential for ancestral sacrificial poojas. Hindus believe that if poojas are performed on this day, the souls of our ancestors will achieve(Athmasanthi) peace. On Vavu day, lakhs of Hindus converge on Papanasam Beach from all four directions. Men, women and children perform Pitur Tarpan for their ancestors regardless of age.

Hindus also arrive for Balitarpanam (to perform sacrificial pooja) for the first time after every death in their families, carrying the deceased’s ashes. Special facilities have been arranged on one side of the white sand beach for the performance of Bali. Papanasam is also a shore where Hindus gather to wash away their sins.

Papanasam beach and rituals are of utmost importance to Hindu culture, so Abrahamics resist it. Non-Hindu crowds gather to celebrate life on the beach while Hindus perform posthumous rituals. Anti-Hindu administrators (using the tourism development cloak) have ensured vehicles can reach the sacred beach.

A Floating Bridge

Last Christmas, anti-Hindu Riyas inaugurated a floating bridge at Papanasam Beach for tourists to stroll into the sea. He had plans to convert our holy spot into a tourist haunt with water sports.

Disaster struck within a few weeks, and the floating bridge collapsed, injuring several tourists. Fifteen people fell into the sea and had to be hospitalised. Three seriously injured people were admitted to the emergency department of Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital.

Riyaz asked Tourism Director PB Nooh for a report on the floating bridge accident. Allegedly, Riyas and his cronies are milking the treasury using sub-standard goods and services. He is also trying to destroy and desecrate Hindu places of worship.