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Into the blue

Someshwara is one of the few unpolluted beach destinations around Mangalore

IDEAL GETAWAY This stretch of the beach is untouched by major industries

How we love to get away from it all — the noise, the traffic, the smoke and the breathless pace of the city. But often, when we do get away to a holiday destination, we find that it's as noisy and polluted, with all the city janta deciding to land up at the same place, the same holiday season.

In fact, commercialisation of major holiday spots and overcrowding has lead to a lot of people preferring to stay put at home. But thankfully, there still are some unpolluted destinations such as the Someshwara beach, situated 15 kilometres from Mangalore city.

The vast sandy expanse overlooking the clear deep blue sea is yet untouched by major industries, and therefore, is pollution free. One of the most important features of the beach is the presence of a huge volcanic rock called Rudra Shile. It is both historically and geographically important. It's the only rock of its kind in Dakshina Kannada and it is a bit of a mystery in itself. No one knows how exactly it got there.

The legend goes that queen Abbakka Devi used to petrol the shores and she first spotted the Portuguese ships from atop this very rock. There is a small but historically important temple located on this rock, overlooking the shores which was built during the reign of the queen who fought the Portuguese.

The sand at this beach is so coarse and grainy that you feel as if you are walking on rice grains, yet another unique feature of the beach.

DEEPSHIKHA SHANKER

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