Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur

Kundapur, Nov 15: A 38-year-old man lost his life after he drowned while swimming in the Varunatheertha lake near the Sri Amrutheshwari temple in Kota on Saturday, November 14 morning.

The deceased has been identified as Nagaraj, a native of Gadag district. He was currently residing in a rented house near the Chennakeshava temple at Madivalakeri in Gundmi, Sasthan.

According to sources, Nagaraj and his friend Rahul visited the Sri Amrutheshwari temple in Kota on Saturday morning. Following the darshan, Nagaraj entered the Varunatheertha lake situated near the temple for a swim. As Rahul did not know how to swim, he stayed back on the bank.

While swimming, Nagaraj reportedly told his friend that he would touch the Shivalinga located in the middle of the lake and return. However, as he swam towards the centre where the water was deep, he struggled to stay afloat and drowned.

Noticing Nagaraj drowning, a panicked Rahul cried for help, prompting locals to rush to his rescue. Despite their immediate efforts to search for him, Nagaraj had already lost his life. His body was subsequently retrieved from the lake.

Fire and emergency services personnel, along with diving expert Eshwar Malpe, arrived at the spot and assisted in the operation.

The Kota police visited the spot and registered a case in this regard.