Shettihalli Church - Hidden beauty of Hemavathi

14th February 2016

It was one of the short distance one day trip as usual Suraj and Karthik met me at Perla at sharp 0600 hrs and our aim was to explore the Rosary church of Shettihalli.

Short Break near Uppinagadi on NH 48

Concrete road on Shiradi Ghat Section

 Rosary Church

Its Locate in Hassan District of Karnataka and just 23km far from Hassan, It was built in 1860 by French Missionaries on the bank of River Hemavathi. If you are thinking the church is famous for its construction and art work, you are absolutely wrong.

 Sheep herd on the way

 Village Scenery en route to Shettihalli

In 1960 Karnataka Government decided to built the Gorur Dam on Hemavathi River for better use of water, which floods the Hemavathi Reservoir. So near by villages were submerged in the water and villagers are relocated and the Church was left behind.

 Neatly maintained Village Road

In Every year monsoon fill the water the Church submerged in the water, once water level goes downs then this hidden beauty start to appears.

 Karthik's Apache

Around 0915 reached Sakleshpur, nothing special about the route it was busy Shiradi ghat section, concreted most of its starch but the same time lost its scenic beauty . At Sakleshpur stopped for breakfast at Hotel Ossur.

 Akkirotti (Rice Roti)

After taking Hot Akkirotti and Masala Dosa along with a cup of coffee headed towards Hassan. As soon as reached Hassan asked direction with local people and headed towards Shettihalli.

The Beautiful and well  tarmacked village road with very few traffic was breeze  to ride, and also one can enjoy the natural atmosphere of village life.

 Front View of Rosary Church Shettihalli

Around 1130 we reached to the Rosary Church of Shettihalli which built in the banks of River Hemavathi.

Inside View

Hence it was sinking in water in every monsoon since 1979 church was ruined and only skeleton left. But surrounding water body and blue sky makes it more attractive.

Ruined Church

When the  water level goes down nearby villagers are active and they starts their agricultural activities, they utilizes the rich soil of river bank.Tractors were roaming around the banks and villagers busy with their day today schedule and activities of arming and Fishing.

Farmers Ploughing at River bed

Villagers washing the clothes 

Water body

New Bridge built against the River you can check the old cause bridge in front

Sheep herd

After spending Two hours on River bank  left the place, while returning we took the cause bridge for fun and joined the main road. our next destination was Arakalgud were we stopped for a lunch.

Lady watering to the ploughed farm

Busy discussion.....

Some off road fun....

At Old Cause bridge

Cat fish

My Green Bull

 Lunch at Arkalgud

After taking Delicious lunch at Arkalgud returned home via Madikeri and reached at 1930hrs. The whole trip was wonderful. It was great experience especially the village atmosphere refreshes and fill more energy in our life. 

Flower farming on the way