My World: Rosary Church - A Hidden Treasure of Hemavathi Reservoir

25 March 2013

Rosary Church - A Hidden Treasure of Hemavathi Reservoir

Am on vacation to Hassan, my native place, but my routine remains same as in Mumbai... Both my parents are employed and this being March, financial year end, both of them don't get holidays. So only time for us to go on an outing is during weekends. Since last two weekends, we had one or the other priorities and we couldn't make it. This weekend we planned to most awaited, Rosary Church at Shetti Halli.

Dams and the creation of reservoirs require relocation of potentially large human populations if they are constructed close to residential areas. Such relocation took place in the early 1960s, when construction of Hemavathi Reservoir started on the river Hemavathi in Gorur. More then 28 villages got submerged. Shettihalli was one amongst them on the upstream of the reservoir and whole of the civilization had to be moved to near by place, leaving behind a holy place of worship to get submerged.

Rosary Church, was built by French Missioners in 1860 and represents the Gothic Architecture. The water has depleted its structure but not the peace and serenity of the place. During Monsoons, the church gets submerged, post monsoon as the water level descends, the church emerges out. Even when the church is half under the water, you can go near it on a coracle.

Info:

Location: Shettihalli is 205kms from Bangalore, 22kms from Hassan and around 123kms from Mysore.
How to reach:

By Train: Nearest railway station is Hassan, Hassan Railway station is linked to major Indian cities and well connected to Bangalore, Mysore and Mangalore.
By Road:

Driving directions: On Bangalore-Mangalore highway NH 48, driving from Bangalore take Hassan ring road at Bovanahalli, driving ahead, take left to Haluvagilu Road. Driving 15kms ahead on this road reaches you to Shettihalli. Once you pass the village, you can have a look at the church. A narrow road to the left reaches the church.