Rosary Church, Shettihalli near Hassan, 200km from Bangalore. French missionaries built this church in 1860 on the banks of the Hemavathi. In 1960 the government built a dam in Gorur to channelise the river for irrigation in neighbouring districts. And in the process many villages were submerged including Shettihalli. While the villagers relocated, this double centurion church stands still bearing a mute testimony to the ravages of monsoon.
When you visit Shettihalli during monsoons, the church is submerged and when the waters recede, parts of the church are revealed and it is a breathtaking sight. I could walk right upto and into the ruins. Unfortunately it has become a den for gamblers during daytime.
An offbeat, surrealistic getaway !20 kms from Hassan. When you plan your Hassan- Belur-Halebid trip, take this detour. And the best time to visit is early mornings or early evenings. Ideal way is to drive down. Or by bus / train to Hassan. It is better to engage a taxi from Hassan for the 20km ride as the church is in a remote part of the village.
