Missing for 26 Years, Dharmasthala’s Satish Returns Home as Salim Abdul Ansari Belthangady, Jun 12, 2026: A man who had vanished from his family’s life for two and a half decades has finally returned to his hometown near Dharmasthala in Belthangady taluk. The reunion, described by family members as a miracle, marks the end of a long and uncertain search for Satish, who had left home at the age of 19 in 2000. Satish’s journey began when he accompanied a circus troupe that visited Dharmasthala, a town in Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada district. After the event, he moved to Maharashtra, where he spent the next 26 years working. Over time, he lost touch with his family, forgetting details about his childhood, his hometown, and even his relatives. His absence left his family in a state of limbo, with his mother dedicating years to prayers for his return. The breakthrough came recently when Satish, now known as Salim Abdul Ansari, visited the Dharmasthala temple with friends from Maharashtra. While exploring the area, he recalled memories of his childhood, including the location where the circus had once performed. Recognizing the site as his native place, he began searching for his family. By asking local residents and shopkeepers, he gradually pieced together his identity and traced his relatives. His mother, who had long prayed for his return, had made vows at the Dharmasthala, Kateel, and Panolibail temples. She had recently urged her other sons to continue the search, expressing a desire to see him before her death. The family believes her prayers have finally borne fruit. Satish, who had left home with the name Satish, returned under a new identity. During his years in Maharashtra, he adopted the name Salim Abdul Ansari, married a woman named Talima, and had two children, Khushi and Azam.#dharmasthala #belthangady #satish #salim_abdul_ansari #talima
