5 Ayyappas drown in Bhadra river

CHITTOOR: In a tragic incident, five Ayyappas from Chittoor district drowned in the Bhadra river at Chikballapur in Karnataka on Tuesday while taking a holy dip. According to the police, the five victims were part of a group of 22 Ayyappas from Lakshmipuram and surrounding villages in Bangarupallem mandal. They hired a minibus and went to Sabarimala on a pilgrimage on December 1. During their return journey, they visited many temples. They reached Chikballabur on the last leg of their pilgrimage to visit Gayatri temple.
While taking a holy dip in the river before visting the temple, Gopi was swept away by the strong water current. When he cried for help, Gagendra and Chittibabu went to his rescue and were caught in swirling waters. Two others also met a watery grave when they tried to rescue the trio. The bodies are yet to be traced.