Koteshwara: A 37-year-old man reportedly died after jumping into the Kotiteertha Pushkarini, a temple pond at Koteshwara in Udupi district, on Tuesday night. His body was recovered from the water on Wednesday morning following a search operation by local swimmers and rescue personnel.
The deceased has been identified as Padmanabha Acharya, son of Mahabala Acharya and a resident of Hodrali Kolanakatte near Koteshwara. According to reports, he had earlier been working at a tile factory in Kundapura but had reportedly not been working for the past four months.
Family raised alarm after he failed to return home
According to the reports, Padmanabha left his home on Tuesday morning but did not return by night. His family members began searching for him.
His two-wheeler was later found parked near the temple premises at Koteshwara. This raised concern among his family members, who continued looking for him in the surrounding area.
His slippers and cap were subsequently found near the eastern steps of the Kotiteertha Pushkarini. Based on these belongings, the possibility that he had entered the temple pond was suspected and a search operation was initiated.
Body recovered during morning search
Local swimmers who regularly use the pond for swimming joined the search operation on Wednesday morning. A boat was used to search the water, and the body was located at around 9 am, according to the report.
Local swimmers including Markodu Sudheer Kumar Shetty, Prabhakar Shetty and Satyanarayana Manja reportedly assisted in the operation.
Diving expert Eshwar Malpe and his team also reached the spot. With assistance from the local swimmers, the team retrieved Padmanabha’s body from the pond.
The body was subsequently shifted to Kundapur Government Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
Police begin investigation
Kundapur police visited the spot and conducted an inspection. A case has been registered, and further investigation is under way.
The exact reason behind Padmanabha’s reported decision to take the extreme step has not been established. Reports have mentioned that he had been without work for around four months, but this does not by itself establish the reason for his death.
Authorities are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident as part of the investigation.
Incident brings focus on timely support
The incident has once again highlighted the importance of seeking timely support during periods of severe emotional or financial distress. Family members, friends and community members can play an important role in recognising signs of distress and encouraging people to seek professional help.
People experiencing suicidal thoughts or feeling unable to cope should contact a mental health professional or a trusted person and seek immediate support rather than facing the situation alone.
Conclusion
The death of 37-year-old Padmanabha Acharya at the Kotiteertha Pushkarini in Koteshwara was reported after his body was recovered on Wednesday morning. Police have registered a case and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.