A LONG-HIDDEN religious 16th-century temple has emerged from an artificial lake in Mexico due to a severe drought .

    The sacred religious site was unveiled near the small town of Santa Maria Jalapa del Marques in the southeast of Mexico.

    Severe lack of rain in recent months has meant that the waters of the Benito Juarez Dam are 40 percent lower than their normal level.

    This has meant that the impressive 16th-century temple was once again made visible for the public.

    The temple was made by monks and nuns of the Dominican Order, who came to the area in the 1500s to preach Christianity.

    It is the third time in eight years that the stone temple has become visible, although local guides say the building is deteriorating.

    The guides, who offer boat trips to visit the ruins, say that in previous years the walls were closer together and the cross was still there.

    The Dominican Order, also known as the Order of Preachers, is a Roman Catholic religious order founded by the Spanish priest Saint Dominic de Guzman in France and approved by Pope Honorius III on Dec. 22, 1216.(SD-Agencies)