Mysuru: One of the biggest attractions during the monsoon season—the mist that envelops the Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple in Gundlupet taluk, located within the Bandipur Tiger Reserve—is missing this year.Every year, tourists flock to the hilltop shrine to experience the mist, cool breeze and scenic views. However, due to a weak monsoon this year, devotees and visitors are missing the temple’s signature mist, leaving many disappointed.Believed to have been built in the 14th century, the temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is situated at an altitude of 1,450m (4,770 feet) above sea level. The shrine derives its name from the thick mist (Himavad) that usually blankets the hill for much of the monsoon season.According to hobli-wise rainfall data released by the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) as of June 26, Hangala hobli recorded 216.2mm of rainfall during the pre-monsoon period (March–May), slightly above the normal of 207.9mm. However, between June 1 and 26, the hobli received only 35.4mm of rainfall against the normal of 55.9mm, resulting in a rainfall deficit of 36.7%.Tourists and residents say the mist and cool breeze are among the shrine’s biggest attractions during the monsoon. “However, this year, the mist is missing. The weather is also not as pleasant as in previous years,” said Avinash SH, a local resident.A KSRTC driver who frequently operates buses to the temple said that during last year’s monsoon, the mist was so dense that visibility dropped to barely 3 metres. “We drove with great difficulty due to poor visibility. This year, however, there is hardly any mist,” he said.Nandish L, deputy conservator of forests and director of Bandipur Tiger Reserve, said there is currently no water shortage in the region. “However, if the area does not receive adequate rainfall in July and Aug, there is a possibility of water scarcity for wildlife, as these two months generally receive the highest rainfall of the season,” he said.
