Ponnum Thuruth or Golden Island is a small island located 12 km from Varkala. The main attraction of the place is the Shiva Parvatavathi Temple beside the river. This temple is more than a century old. There is a story behind this island. The patriarchs at Travancore visited this temple. Before entering the temple they would hide their ornaments and hide in a corner of the rust. That is why the name of the island is called golden island.
