Kottigehara: Man on pilgrimage to Dharamasthala mysteriously goes missing

Kottigehara: A man who had gone on a pilgrimage to Dharmasthala on foot on last Shivratri has gone missing near here.

Gangadhar (50), a resident of Shanthigrama in Hassan had started the pilgrimage on February 27 with a group from his village. After reaching Kottigehara on foot, the group decided to rest the night near Hotel Nisarga. At around 3 am on the next day, Gangadhar reportedly went to relieve himself in the bushes. But he did not return. The group resumed their journey to Dharmasthala after half an hour, believing that Gangadhar might have proceeded with the other pilgrims who were on the same pilgrimage.

The matter came to light only after the pilgrims returned home from Dharmasthala. Gangadhar had not returned home from the pilgrimage. His wife to her dismay that his mobile phone was switched off.  After the group reached the village, Gangadhar’s wife Jayanti registered a missing complaint at the Banakal police station.

Police have registered a case and have launched a mission to trace the man. They have requested people to call 9480805151 if they know, or find anything about the missing man.