MYSURU: Pre-wedding photoshoots have become a regular feature of marriages but the quest for an exciting shot in the Cauvery, aboard a coracle, led to the death of a young couple on Monday.
The couple who ventured into the Cauvery river on a coracle for a pre-wedding photoshoot and drowned after the boat capsized near Talakadu in T Narasipura. The couple were in love for the past five years.
Police said bridegroom Chandru, 28, a civil contractor and bride Shashikala, 20, both from Kyathamaranahalli in Mysuru drowned. Their wedding was scheduled on November 22 in Mysuru.
The couple along with relatives and photographers went to Mudukuthore Mallikharjuna Swamy Temple. They had hired two coracles and travelled to Talakadu Jaladhama river resort at Kattepura on the other side of the river.
Just as the coracle moved about 30 metres from the riverbank, the couple tried to pose for a photo. It is said that the bride who was wearing high heeled sandals, which made her lose balance while standing on the coracle and she fell into the river, police said.
Chandru tried to save Shashikala. But in the commotion, the coracle capsized and Chandru, one of his relatives and the fisherman riding the coracle fell into the river. While Chandru drowned, the fisherman swam to safety. Some fishermen who were on the riverbank rescued the relative.
Meanwhile, people informed police who rushed to the spot with expert swimmers and fished out the bodies around 4.30pm.
A case has been registered at Talakadu police station.