Meditation, noodles and snakes: How a Russian woman survived in cave with kids after visa expired in 2017

In a remarkable tale of survival and spiritual devotion, a 40-year-old Russian woman, Nina Kutina—also known as Mohi—was discovered living with her two young daughters in a remote cave on the forested slopes of Ramatirtha Hill near Gokarna in Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada district.

Kutina had been hiding in India for more than eight years after overstaying her visa. For the past two months, she and her daughters, Preya (6) and Ama (4), had lived in near-total isolation, relying on nature for shelter and sustenance.

Both daughters were born in India during Kutina’s years in hiding and had never known life beyond the forest. Police said she has consistently refused to discuss their father.

The cave, hidden deep within the lush, landslide-prone terrain of Ramatirtha Hill, had become the family's sanctuary. Inside, Kutina kept a Rudra idol, Russian books, and photos of Hindu deities.

She performed daily rituals, taught her children yoga and meditation, and maintained a routine that included drawing, singing, and spiritual learning.

She had stored basic groceries and survived on minimal rations, reportedly including instant noodles.

Officials noted that the family slept on plastic sheets and used natural light instead of candles. Even during the monsoon season, they wore minimal clothing and adapted to the rhythm of the forest.

The family was discovered on July 9 during a police patrol. Officers spotted sarees and plastic covers near the cave and were stunned to find a woman and two young children alive and well in such a dangerous environment.

The area is known for venomous snakes and other wildlife, but Kutina appeared unfazed.

“Snakes are our friends,” she told police calmly. “They won’t harm us unless we harm them.”

She recounted how snakes often slithered nearby while they bathed in waterfalls, but she never felt threatened.

Kutina arrived in India in 2016 on a business visa and initially explored Goa’s tourist scene. But she was soon captivated by Hinduism and found spiritual refuge in Gokarna, a sacred coastal town in Karnataka. When her visa expired in April 2017, she chose to remain in the country—avoiding hotels and populated areas to evade immigration authorities.

“She feared being discovered if she stayed in hotels, so she made the jungle her home,” said Sub-Inspector Sridhar S. R., who led the rescue operation, speaking to The Indian Express.

In 2018, she briefly left for Nepal after receiving an exit permit but soon returned to India and vanished into the dense forests of Uttara Kannada district, where she lived in near-total seclusion with her two daughters.

According to police, Kutina likely trekked from Goa to the cave in Ramatirtha Hill, a landslide-prone area teeming with venomous wildlife. Officers convinced her to leave after explaining the life-threatening risks.

She was then escorted with her children to an ashram in Kumta taluk, run by an 80-year-old female Swamiji from the Shankara Prasad Foundation.

“This is unlike anything I’ve witnessed in my 18 years of service,” Sridhar told The Indian Express. “She cared for the children remarkably well — they were healthy, energetic, and overjoyed to experience electricity and beds for the first time.”

The next day, Sridhar received a heartfelt WhatsApp message from Kutina in Russian.

“She wrote that she loves India, the forest, and meditation—and that it was the police who forced her to leave it all behind,” he said. 

Initially hesitant to reveal her identity, Kutina later informed authorities that her passport and visa were lost. However, during a search of the cave and surrounding forest, police and forest officials recovered the documents, confirming her visa had expired on April 17, 2017.

Legal proceedings are now underway to deport Kutina and her children back to Russia. Meanwhile, they have been placed under the care of the Women’s Reception Centre for their safety.

Authorities confirmed that Kutina and her daughters will appear before the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Shanthinagar, Bengaluru, on July 14. A female police officer will supervise the process, with further legal steps to follow.

While their future remains uncertain, Kutina’s eight-year journey—marked by spiritual devotion, resilience, and an extraordinary bond with nature—has deeply moved both officials and the public.