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Nethrani
Island beach Karnataka is close to a small town called
Murdeshwar in Karnataka. Murdeshwar is known for its famous
Shiva temple and giant size Shiva statue. It is located on a
beach between Honnavar and Bhatkal about one kilometer from
the national highway. Nethrani Island Beach is one of the
best beaches in India which is known for its amazing
underwater life. A diver’s paradise, Nethrani Island Beach
in Karnataka can offer you a kaleidoscope of the underwater
life.
Enthusiastic tourists drive for a weekend from Bangalore or
other nearby places to enjoy Nethrani Island, its serene
surroundings, long stretches of |
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silver
beach, clear blue water and the 500 year old Shiva temple.
Divers making it to the Nethrani Island Beach should come
well equipped with scuba gear, air tanks and air
compressors.
As you cross the Murdeshwar
town gate you will come across the looming statue of Shiva
standing 15 meters tall giving you the feeling of being
watched. Built by a prosperous person of the town, it is a
huge presence in the temple complex which houses the 500
year old Shiva temple.
Nethrani Island Beach is about an hour from Murdeshwar in
boat. One of the beat diving spots in the island is Jenny's
Aquarium. The underwater visibility is average but you get
to see the truly amazing marine life. Cobia's resembling
sharks can be spotted. You will be surrounded by thousands
of triggerfish, parrotfish, fusilliers, trevallies and
squirrelfish.
Divers revel in the underwater marine life of Jenny's
Aquarium. One is lucky to stumble across a school of
barracudas. Another well known diving spot in Nethrani
Island Beach in Karnataka is the Nursery. Teeming with moray
eels, you can get wonderful underwater shots. It is a spot
that is alive with parrotfish, triggerfish, scorpionfish,
gobies and yellow shrimp. You may even chance to spot lion
fishs.
Another diving spot in the Nethrani Island Beach Karnataka
is the Grand Central Station. As you come across a large
number of fishes you begin to understand why it is called
the Grand Central Station. Hawksbill turtle are found here.
The seascape is littered with honeycomb morays and the odd
snowflake eel. You may spot huge batfish basking in the sun.
Huge band of big needlefishes can be seen swaying to the
ocean’s surges disguised as ocean debris waiting to fool
predators.
Dinny's Delight is another amazing diver's spot in Nethrani.
Littered with cowrie shells in the sea bed the spot has
multicolored sea slugs in various shapes. Angelfish,
sergeant majors, wrasse and parrotfish burst in every
direction including butterfly fishes and porcupine
pufferfish.
Murdeshwar which is home to the huge Shiva statue and the
temple has a secular crowd. Both Muslims and Christians are
seen around the town enjoying its exotic beach. The sea is
an intrinsically part of the temple-scape. The temple stands
on a small hill, Kandukagiri and is surrounded by the sea on
three sides. These are two life-sized elephants made of
concrete guarding the steps that lead to the shrine.
Chalukyan and Kadamba sculptures in the Dravidian style
grace the temple décor.
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