Shettihalli Church, Hassan – Abandoned floating church

Abandoned gothic church at Shettihalli village near Hassan. As per wiki this was built in 1860s by French and abandoned after construction of the Hemavathi reservoir in 1960. Now it has turned into a good picnic spot which is peaceful with good view. In peak monsoon time the church is half submerged and thus called floating Shettihalli church.

Date – 14th July, 2019

Location – Shettihalli church, Hassan

We decided to visit the Shettihalli Rosary church on our way back from a weekend Chikmagaluru trip. It is half an hour drive off Bangalore – Mangalore highway near Hassan. Once you take the deviation off the highway, the road passes through lush green fields till you reach the Shettihalli village. The church is situated near the village.

During peak monsoon the church will be half submerged with the reservoir water. Then you will have to talk to the locals to arrange a boat to visit in and around the church.

At the time of our visit we were able to drive our car till the church. The reservoir water was not high enough to submerge the church. It is a very scenic peaceful place on the banks of the Hemavathi reservoir. You can see a bridge passing over the reservoir water from here. Best time to visit the place would be early morning or evening time. Some of the villagers consider the church to be haunted and avoid it in the night time. Mostly rumours to keep the tourists from visiting the place in the night. The place has already started to become touristy with some of the people driving their vehicles right inside the church. We spent some time walking in and around the church and resumed our journey back to Bangalore.

Photos

view on the banks of Hemavathi reservoir
view on the banks of Hemavathi reservoir
one side of the shettihalli church
one side of the shettihalli church
people have parked their cars inside the church
people have parked their cars inside the church
front view of the church
front view of the church
peaceful place to spend the evening
peaceful place to spend the evening
nearby bridge across the reservoir
nearby bridge across the reservoir
the church would be half submerged in the reservoir water during peak monsoon time
the church would be half submerged in the reservoir water during peak monsoon time
inside part of the church
inside part of the church
backside of the church
backside of the church
backview of the church
backview of the church
number of people visiting the church has increased
number of people visiting the church has increased and its turning into a crowded tourist place
birds
birds

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