Belagavi: As delayed monsoon rains continue to impact water levels across north Karnataka, a remarkable piece of history has resurfaced from the depths of the Hidkal reservoir in Belagavi district. The historic Vittala Temple, which remained submerged under the reservoir’s backwaters for more than five decades, has once again emerged in full view, drawing thousands of devotees and history enthusiasts.
Located in Hunnur village of Hukkeri taluk, the temple was originally constructed in 1928 and served as an important place of worship for local residents. However, the structure was submerged in 1978 after the completion of the Hidkal Dam project and the subsequent filling of the reservoir.
The reappearance of the temple is being described as a rare event. Since the formation of the reservoir, the temple has emerged from the water only twice. The first instance occurred in 2023, when severe drought conditions caused water levels to recede dramatically after nearly 48 years. Now, in 2026, a delayed monsoon and declining reservoir levels have once again revealed the historic structure.
What has astonished visitors and experts alike is the remarkable condition of the temple despite spending over 51 years underwater. The stone structure appears largely intact, with no major signs of damage caused by prolonged submersion.
Adding to the sense of wonder is the condition of the temple’s presiding deity. Devotees claim that the Vittala idol, made primarily of clay, has remained intact despite being submerged for decades. Many visitors are describing the phenomenon as miraculous and a testament to the temple’s spiritual significance.
News of the temple’s emergence has spread rapidly across the region, attracting devotees from different parts of Belagavi district as well as neighbouring Maharashtra. Thousands have been flocking to the reservoir site to catch a glimpse of the rare spectacle and offer prayers to Lord Vittala.
Devotees visiting the temple have been performing special pujas and religious rituals, considering the reappearance of the shrine a divine blessing. The atmosphere around the site has turned festive, with long queues of worshippers eager to witness a structure that remained hidden beneath water for most of the past five decades.
While the emergence of the temple has generated excitement among devotees, it has also highlighted concerns about the declining water levels in the Hidkal reservoir. Farmers and residents dependent on the reservoir are closely monitoring the situation, hoping for adequate rainfall in the coming weeks.
For now, however, the resurfaced Vittala Temple has become a symbol of both history and faith, offering a rare opportunity for devotees to witness a forgotten heritage structure that has re-emerged from the depths after more than half a century.
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