The Mysterious Floating Church

Ruins are intriguing and more intriguing are the mysterious stories spun around these forlorn and forgotten structures.

Shettihalli Rosary church, built in the 17th Century by the French Missionaries is one of them. Tucked away in a small hamlet, Shettihalli church in Hassan district of Karnataka is now the home for few birds, is popularly known for all the right reasons as the Floating Church.

It is the finest example of gothic architecture, built by the French in 1860’s. An interesting phenomenon can be observed every monsoon. This gothic styled church standing tall without any pews or stained-glass windows, is submerged under water due to heavy rains and the concomitant rise in the water level from the nearby dam.

Partly remaining submerged during the monsoon season is one such striking feature that makes this church so special. There is something about this ageing Rosary Church, which is quite mysterious and romantic at the same time. The silence and the solitude that you get to experience here is completely unmatched and unforgettable.