What she ate, how she lived - How the Russian woman spent 8 years in a cave in a forest near a popular tourist place in Karnataka

Time of India

12 hours ago

In an astonishing revelation from the Ramatirtha forested region of
Kumta taluk
, in Karnataka's Uttara Kannada district, a 40-year-old Russian woman named Nina Kutina—also known locally as Mohi—was discovered living inside a secluded cave with her two daughters. As reported by
Press Trust of India
(PTI), Kutina originally entered India in 2016 on a business visa. Despite her visa having expired in 2017, she chose to remain in the country, drawn deeply to Hindu beliefs and Indian spiritual philosophies. After initially traveling through Goa, she found her spiritual sanctuary in
Gokarna
, a town along Karnataka's sacred coastline.
Years Of Seclusion And Simplicity
For the past two months, Kutina and her daughters were residing in a cave tucked within the lush Ramatirtha hills. However, authorities later uncovered that this episode was part of a broader, eight-year-long journey that had seen the family living off-grid across various parts of India. The trio had detached themselves entirely from modern amenities, with no access to electricity, mobile communication, or formal housing. The Indian Express highlighted that the cave served as their multipurpose space—functioning as their home, classroom, temple, and kitchen.
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A Lifestyle Shaped By Nature And Devotion
Their days were spent immersed in nature's rhythm. According to accounts from
PTI,
the family followed a natural lifestyle—rising at dawn, swimming in rivers, preparing food on wood fires, and engaging in various creative and spiritual pursuits such as drawing, singing, and reading. The cave's interior was adorned with Russian-language books, religious idols, and images of Hindu gods. A small Rudra idol symbolized Kutina's spiritual focus, revealing the depth of her dedication to Hindu practices.
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In an interview with
ANI
, Mohi revealed her daughters bathed in waterfalls and learned to make art from clay.
During their time outdoors, they encountered wildlife, including snakes, but remarkably, no harm came to them. Kutina noted during her conversation with police officials that even wild creatures coexisted peacefully with them in the jungle.
A Mother's Structured Routine for Her Daughters
Gokarna Sub Inspector Sridhar S R, who was part of the patrol team that eventually located the family, informed
The Indian Express
that Kutina had preserved a well-organized routine for her daughters. Activities included yoga, mantra chanting, singing, and drawing—designed to instill discipline and cultural learning. Even on the Sunday when she was found, Kutina was seen guiding her daughters through yoga exercises.
Survival Without Modern Comforts
Despite the lack of electricity and infrastructure, the family adapted with remarkable resilience. As
Times of India
reported, Kutina prepared daily meals, educated her children using oral traditions, and measured time using natural light rather than clocks. Her children, unfamiliar with modern beds, slept on plastic sheets laid out on the cave floor. During the monsoon, they wore minimal clothing and relied on stored candles, which were rarely used.
Groceries, Instant Noodles, and Monsoon Preparedness
Superintendent of Police M Narayana of Uttara Kannada district confirmed to
Hindustan Times
that Kutina had taken proactive steps to stock up on essential food supplies, particularly instant noodles, in anticipation of the monsoon season. He expressed amazement at their ability to endure the forest's harsh living conditions, emphasizing that the family had been fortunate to escape harm during their time in isolation.
This rediscovered life of
Nina Kutina
and her daughters, far removed from civilization, offers a rare glimpse into an extraordinary commitment to spiritual exploration and minimalist survival.