Hidkal drop reveals rare Vitthal temple, devotees rush in

Belagavi: Thousands of devotees have thronged Hunnur village in Hukkeri taluk over the past week after a long-submerged Vitthal temple in the Hidkal backwaters resurfaced due to receding reservoir levels, drawing large crowds daily.

This is only the second time in nearly four decades that the temple has fully re-emerged, the previous instance being in 2023. The Hidkal dam, completed in 1977, submerged several villages, including parts of Hunnur, though the Vitthal temple—built in 1951—remained intact beneath the waters for decades since then.

Constructed entirely of stone in the Hemadpanti style, the temple has withstood years of submergence, retaining its structural integrity. Visitors from across Karnataka and neighbouring Maharashtra are flocking to the site, making it a major attraction, especially on weekends now.

Devotees have taken the initiative to clean the premises, while images and videos of the rare sight have gone viral on social media. Many are urging others not to miss chance to witness the historic structure.

Officials said that usually only the temple’s gopuram is visible during summer, but falling reservoir levels have now exposed the entire structure. In 2023, when drought led to a sharp drop in water levels, the temple remained accessible for nearly a month and reportedly drew over 10 lakh visitors.

This year too, the resurfacing has triggered a surge in footfall, with authorities urging visitors to follow safety guidelines while accessing the site.