Did any of you heard about a church that drowns every monsoon and submerges back during the summers?
The Shettihalli Rosary Church in Karnataka is one such structure that is in ruins, yet a wonderful piece of art that has stood the test of time.
This Church is located 22 km from Shettihalli, in Karnataka. Shettihalli is a small village situated on the banks of the Gorur-Hemavathy reservoir, which is about 25 kms from Hassan in Karnataka. In its hey days and prior to the construction of the reservoir at Gorur, Shettihalli used to be a very rich agricultural hamlet that was known for its sunflower fields.
This church which is built in the 1860s by the French missionaries in India has a magnificent structure of Gothic Architecture.
Later, in 1960s Gorur reservoir was constructed so that the water of Hemavathi river can be used in a better way. Subsequently, the collateral damage during the process led to submersion of around 28 villages around the river in flood.
After the construction of the Hemavati Dam and Reservoir in 1960 the church was abandoned.
As the waters of the Hemavathy rise, the Shettihalli Church drowns in it and when the waters recede, the Shettihalli church ruins strike a start contrast to the vividly coloured landscape. That is what makes Shettihalli so special as it offers glamour all the year round.
It has since then become a famous tourist spot where people flock to see the half submerged church during monsoon.
The Shettihalli church is nearly submerged except for its top most spire during the monsoons and when the reservoir is near to its brim. And during the dry season, one can actually walk in and around the church as the reservoir recedes quite a bit. Because of this reason, it came to be known as Drowning Church.
In order to enjoy the real beauty of this Shettihalli church, one needs to travel twice a year to this place. Once in the month of July–October when it is partially submerged in water and next in the month of Dec- May when the water level recedes and the church emerges in all its glory.
Though all the inhabitants of this were relocated to nearby villages, the church was abandoned forever. This roofless structure is located at a barren field, and is an unexplored location. Though not many travel here, it is visited by research scholars and architecture students.
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