Janardana Swami Temple, one of the religious sites of Varkala, is believed to have been constructed about 2,000 years ago. Located in the direction of Papasnanam beach, this shrine is considered holy. A large bell, displayed at the temple, was washed up from the wreck of a Dutch merchant vessel. According to legend, it is believed that the temple was constructed by a Pandyan king, when he was pardoned by Lord Brahma for a committed sin. It is said that Lord Brahma came in the dream of the king and told him about the location of the idol, which was submerged deep in the sea. The king took out the idol with the help of fishermen and enshrined it into the temple. Historians state that the original temple was destroyed by tidal waves, while the present structure was built by the Pandyan king on the same site as the original temple. Vavu Bali is a famous festival celebrated at the temple during new moon day in the month of Karkkidakam, a month in the Malayalam calendar.