Shettihalli Rosary Church

On a wintry morning in December we started our journey at 6 o'clock on dot. The sun is yet to rise and roads deserted. The temperature was 18, not very chill, just pleasant. The route we opted was Bangalore-Nelamangala-Kunigal-Yadiyur-Channarayapattana-Hassan-Shettihalli Church. The only stop was for breakfast near a roadside hotel. Normally we don't opt for big hotels unless we had to take a bio break. These small hotels offer delicious preparations though the options are limited to two to three items, like Idli/Vada, Dosa, and any Rice item (Lemon rice/Pulav/Tomoato bath). We were hardly disappointed with these small joints. And there is no harm in bantering with locals a little bit. Morning was gloriously bright. It was around 10 by the time we reached the Shettihalli Rosary Church.

Shettihalli is a small village around 22 KM from Hasaan. It used to be the hamlet of sunflower and castor fields. Rich British estate owners in Alur and Sakleshpur requested French missionaries to build a church for them, hence, Shettihalli Rosary Church came into existence in 1860.  The church was frequented by the Christian community of Shettihalli as well as nearby villages like Madanakopplu, Doddkopplu, Gaddekopplu, and Changaravalli.

Exactly a century later, the Government of Karnataka took up the project to built a reservoir across Hemavathi river at Gorur to irrigate lands in Hassan, Mandya, and Tumkur districts. The whole area flooded making villagers to uproot and to be rehabilitated in nearby towns like Arakalgudu, Channarayapattana, and other parts of Hassan taluk. This also led to the desertion of church. Since then it submerges in monsoon and emerges in winter and summer.  So, ideally one should visit this church two times in a year to see in its complete splendor. 

There was absolutely no one around the place when we reached giving an eerie feeling. Parking the vehicle was not an issue as we rejoiced the idea of having the haunted(?)/holy church for ourselves. It was built one and a half centuries ago in brilliant Gothic architecture. Now the remnants of tall church can be seen only in walls, arches, and few columns. We were able to observe altar and central aisle once inside. It is totally devoid of roof and stained glass. Reportedly the construction materials used are mortar, bricks, and a mixture of jaggery and eggs. Could this be the magic potion that helped the church to stand tall against all odds? A mixture of hues and colors add to the rustic charm to this beautiful structure.

Broken alcohol bottles were strewn around the place, so needed to be careful while walking. As a norm the eternal lovers scribbled undying love messages on the walls. This is the sorry state of our country and we are nothing but ashamed of this callous behavior. 

We could see a few women washing clothes in the stream of Hemavathi backwaters. And herd of cattle grazing at a distance. There is a small dormant bridge across the channel. The green landscape, blue sky, flowing water, cool breeze, and serenity just adds on to this mysterious church. It was around 12:30 we left the place agreeing upon to visit the place in monsoon.

By Road: Bangalore-Nelamangala-Kunigal-Yadiyur-Channarayapattana-Hassan-Shettihalli Church.

Nearby Attractions: Belur, Halebidu, Shravanabelagola, Mosale, Belavadi

Best Time: Any time of the year. Either it will be in submerged or emerged form.