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Janardana Temple is conveniently located approximately 10.9 kilometers west of Kallambalam on NH 66, near the coast. It is situated 25 kilometers north of Thiruvananthapuram city, 8 kilometers south of the renowned backwater destination Kappil, and just 2 kilometers from Varkala Railway Station. Additionally, the temple is 14 kilometers northwest of Attingal municipality. This prime location makes it easily accessible for visitors and pilgrims from various regions.

Varkala, a coastal town near Thiruvananthapuram, is renowned as Janardanapuram, Udayamarthandapuram, or Balit. This sacred pilgrimage center is renowned for its Janardanaswamy Temple, which is included among the 108 Abhimana Kshethrams, revered Vaishnavite shrines mentioned in ancient texts like the Puranas and Itihasas. 

According to the Bhagavata Purana and the Mahabharata, Balarama, the elder brother of Krishna, visited this shrine during his pilgrimage to Kanyakumari and other southern temples. This historical connection further solidifies Varkala's significance as a sacred site for Vaishnava devotees. Varkala is believed to possess unique spiritual properties. It is said that praying at the Janardana Temple and bathing at the nearby Papanasam beach can cleanse one's sins. This belief has solidified Varkala's reputation as a sacred pilgrimage site.

Moreover, Varkala is considered an ideal location for performing pitrkarma, rituals honoring ancestors. This has earned the town the titles "Dakshina Kashi" (Kashi of the South) and "Gaya of the South." Drawing hundreds of pilgrims and visitors throughout the year, Varkala continues to be a significant spiritual and cultural center in South India.

In times of yore, Lord Brahma came to the earth to perform a Yaga (fire Sacrifice). He did it in the present Varkala. He was so much immersed in doing Yaga that he forgot his job of creation. Lord Vishnu came to Varkala to remind Lord Brahma about it in the form of a very old man. The Brahmins assisting Lord Brahma, received the old man and gave him food. But whatever he ate, his hunger was not satiated. Lord Brahma’s assistants went and told him about it. Then Lord Brahma could understand that the guest was Lord Vishnu himself. He immediately came near Lord Vishnu and found him trying to eat Aabhojanam. Lord Brahma then prevented Lord Vishnu from eating it and told him - "Lord, if you eat it, then the final deluge will swallow this world." Lord Vishnu then requested Lord Brahma to stop the Yaga and recommence his job of creation. He also showed him his 'Viswaroopa'. After this one day Sage Narada followed by Lord Vishnu was walking in the sky over Varkala. Lord Brahma who came there saluted Lord Vishnu. The nine Prajapathis to whom only sage Narada was visible laughed at Lord Brahma. Because they thought that Lord Brahma was saluting his own son Sage Narada. Then Lord Brahma corrected them. They felt sad at having committed a sinful deed. Lord Brahma told them that the proper place to pray for their redemption would be shown to them by sage Narada. Sage Narada threw the Valkala (deer’s skin) that he was wearing towards the earth. It fell in the present Varkala. The Prajapathis wanted a pond to do the atonement. Sage Narada requested lord Vishnu, who made a pond there, using his Chakra (wheel). The Prajapathis did thapas there and were pardoned for their sins. It is believed that the 'Devas' constructed a temple of Lord Vishnu there and were worshiping the Lord Janardhana.

But this temple got dilapidated. At that time, several centuries ago, the then Pandya king was affected by a ghost. He went on a pilgrimage but nowhere did he find any cure. When he came to the present day Varkala, he saw the remnants of the dilapidated temple by the side the sea. He prayed to the Lord saying that he would rebuild the temple there. The next day he had a dream. It told him that the following day he should go to the sea and stand near the dilapidated temple. Nearby he would see a huge amount of flowers floating in the sea and that if he searches there he would get an idol. He was instructed to make a golden hand and attach it to the idol and build a temple round it. The present Janardhana idol was recovered from the sea by him. He built the temple and laid down the rules for maintenance of the temple. The idol of Janardhana has Aabhojana in its right hand.

People believe that over years this hand is raising slowly. The day that the idol is able to eat the aabhojana from his right hand, the world will face the great deluge. There are small temples of Lord Shiva, Ganapathi, Sastha and Naga Devatha in this temple. The idol is always dressed in sandal and flowers either in the form of Janardhana, Narasimha, Venugopala or Mohini. Ashtami Rohini, the birthday of Lord Krishna, which comes in the month of Chingam (August–September) is celebrated as a festival here. On the southern side of the temple two bells are tied. There is a story about it as well. One Dutch ship was passing this way and suddenly the ship refused to move in spite of all efforts. The people told the captain of the ship to tie a bell in the Janardhana temple. It seems the captain and his assistant came ashore and tied the bells. As soon as they tied the bells, the ship started moving. The names inscribed in the bell are 'Peter von Belson' and 'Michelle Evarald'. People believe that if worship of ancestors is done in this temple, then they would be pleased. Possibly because of this the Janardhana is also called Pithru Mokshakan.

Nestled on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea, Janardana Temple stands as a testament to the exquisite artistry and architectural brilliance of Kerala. This ancient shrine showcases the distinctive features of South Indian temples, including a circular sanctum sanctorum topped by a copper-clad conical dome, a square mandapa adorned with intricate wooden carvings of the Navagrahas, quadrangular courtyards, and a Bali Pitha hall.

The temple's main deity is Janardana, a form of Vishnu, who is depicted with four arms holding the attributes of the god. Surrounding the main shrine are smaller temples dedicated to Shiva, Ganesha, Shastha, and Naga devata. The outer courtyard houses additional shrines to Sasta and Shiva, complete with a Nandi bull.

A unique feature of the temple is the presence of two ancient bells, donated by the captain of a Dutch ship that once ran aground nearby. Legend has it that the ship was unable to move until the captain tied the bells to the temple. The inscriptions on the bells bear the names "Peter von Belson" and "Michelle Evarald."

The temple's history dates back centuries, with evidence of renovations during the reign of Umayamma Rani in the 17th century. Beyond its architectural splendor, Janardana Temple offers breathtaking views of the sea and the serene backwaters. The canal leading to the temple is flanked by lush greenery and natural springs with reputed medicinal properties.

The idol of Lord Janardana is adorned with sandals and flowers, often taking on the forms of Narasimha, Venugopala, or Mohini.