Representative image showing the beach in Andhra Pradesh
Credit: iStock Photo
Gold is pricey but residents of a coastal village in Andhra Pradesh are finding it on the beach!
Uppada Beach in East Godavari is seeing a 'gold rush', News18 reported.
Locals there are going through the sand searching for precious gold particles and beads that might have washed ashore.
Andhra locals, including fishermen, are using combs to go through the sand with the hope of finding grains, nuggets, and even golden ornaments.
As per reports, some collected gold worth Rs 3,500 each. Traders who buy the gold usually pay Rs 300 to Rs 400 for small finds, and more valuable or larger pieces can get up to Rs 2000.
It is unlikely that someone walking along the beach might just happen on gold, but it lies hidden in the sand and the hunt truly starts when this sand gets disturbed after storms.
The beach has come into the spotlight for its unique gold deposits, and the potential to become a major tourist destination. While Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan plans on making this beach rival international spots, locals have been coming here for generations for its unique gold deposits.
As per the publication, fishermen often find not just golden grains but whole ornaments or solid gold pieces. This occurs mostly due to the coastal erosion there. Over years, many houses and temples have been swept away by the sea, and with them, all the gold these structures contained. This now washes back to shore, especially after storms.
The most recent 'gold rush' comes after Cyclone Nivar.
The Assistant Sub-Inspector there told the publication that it was customary in the area to bury small gold beads when houses and temples are built. These often go to sea as structures get eroded, and then wash up on the shore. However, local legends also suggest that the gold might come from old temples submerged under the waters centuries ago.