HASSAN: A two centuries old church built by French missionaries at Shettihalli in Hassan taluk becomes a tourist attraction during monsoon. Masses stopped at the church when it started seasonally submerging in the backwaters of Hemavathi reservoir six decades ago. But during rainy season, the church draws people in hordes as only the upper part of the structure stands above the water. It looks like a floating ship when it is submerged about 85 per cent. When backwaters recedes in summer, the church is fully visible.
Built with a mixture of sand bricks and limestone, it has marvellous carvings and pictures. The width of each wall is exactly three feet with sharp edges. History reveals that French missionaries who had often visited the region including Shettihalli to spread the message of their religious heads built the church in the name of saint Antony Aariyamma from Hyderabad, who had stayed and died at the village during the British rule. As the church remains partially submerged for six months every year with the construction of the Hemavathi reservoir at Gorur, Christian missionaries built a new church, a hospital and an orphanage at Shettihalli.
Children risk their lives to reach school daily
Children of Basarmane village risk their lives daily to reach their school at Kallur, which is 1.5 km away, in Siddapur taluk of Uttra Kannada. In order to reach the school, they have to cross the Purudole river on a temporary wooden footbridge. Balakrishna Naik, a villager, said nine children from the village go to Kallur school every day by crossing the river. There is another way via Purumatha village in the forest area, but it is a 3-4 km journey. “We do not know when the bridge will collapse,” Naik said. About five years ago, the Zilla Panchayat had started constructing a bridge across the river. After the construction of pillars, the work was stopped due to lack of fund.
Youth goes missing after game of dare
A 28-year-old youth, Musafir Sharif, may have been washed away when he took a dare in Mysuru on Wednesday. He jumped into Kapila river at Nanjangud with four friends, as they challenged each other to swim through heavy current as water was released from Kabini Dam. In the picture, people are seen looking for him.
KRS to be full for first time in four years
Cauvery and Kabini are in full spate following heavy rains. KRS will be full for the first time in four years. KRRS Mandya district president Suresh has urged the government to release water for irrigation from KRS.
Localities inundated in Nanjangud
Houses in Halladakere in Nanjangud and nearby places were inundated as Kaplia river is in spate following discharge of 45,000 cusecs of water from Kabini reservoir. Connection between Nanjangud and Suttur will be disconnected if water goes above the bridge. Srikanteshwara devotees were warned from venturing into river. Spate in Kapila river has flooded standing crops.