Saundatti Renuka Yellama Temple

Introduction to Saundatti Renuka Yellamma Temple

The Saundatti Renuka Yellamma Temple is situated 5 km from Saundatti town, Belgaum district, Karnataka. Shri Renuka Yellamma is the main deity of Saundatti Renuka Yellamma Temple. Renuka is an incarnation of Parvati. People worship her as Maa Kali and Shakti. Yellamma means Mother of Universe. She is also among the most revered deities of the Hindus worshipped in Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.

Legend of Saundatti Renuka Yellamma Temple

The Saundatti Renuka Yellamma Temple carries an interesting legend. Renuka (Yellamma), the daughter of Renuka Raja, married Sage Jamadagni. The sage was well-known for his anger and received many blessings from his severe penances. They had five sons, and Parashurama was one among them. His parents considered him as the incarnation of Vishnu. During a dispute, Sage ordered his son to behead his mother, Renuka. Parashurama obeyed his father's order and decapitated his mother. Simultaneously, he beheaded one more woman who came to protect Renuka. He also beheaded his brothers, who refused to obey their father's order. When the sage calmed down, Parashurama requested him to bring back his mother and brothers' lives. The sage accepted his request. He found the bodies and heads of two women had interchanged. Sage Jamadagni accepted the woman with the body of his wife Renuka, which was with the head of another woman. Later, the head of Renuka became Yellamma.

The Architecture of Saundatti Renuka Yellamma Temple

Bomappa Naik of Raybag built the Saundatti Renuka Yellamma Temple in 1514. It features Chalukya and Rashtrakuta styles of architecture. It had undergone renovations many times.

The temple faces east direction. The idol was found to be 10 feet tall, and a huge temple was built around it. The temple has a big temple tower.

The Saundatti Renuka Yellamma Temple has a sacred well called "Jogal bhavi." Its water is believed to cure skin diseases. Three ponds or water tanks are at the back of the temple: Kumkum Kundam, Yoni Kundam, and Arihan Kundam. Devotees bathe in the holy water ponds and worship the deity.

In the courtyard of Saundatti Renuka Yellamma Temple, devotees can witness the shrines of Ganesh, Mallikarjun, Parashuram, Eknath, and Siddeshwar. There are several inscriptions and carvings on the temple's wall.

Yellamma, or Renuka, is revered as a goddess of fertility. The Government of Karnataka claims to have eliminated the ancient Devadasi practice of dedicating girls to the temple.

People worship her as one of the seven divine mothers, or Saptamatrika, who protected the earth. The pastoral community of the Dhangar and Kurumbas of Southern Maharashtra and North Karnataka worship Yellamma.

The Government of Karnataka has been managing the Saundatti Renuka Yellamma Temple since 1975. It arranges facilities like Dharmashalas (free guest houses), health centers, and other basic facilities for pilgrims.

Festivals in Saundatti Renuka Yellamma Temple

The Yellamma Devi fair is important in Karnataka. The Saundatti Renuka Yellamma Temple conducts this largest fair on the Hindu month Margasira (November-December), on the full moon day, Bharat Hunnime. The fair is organized to honor Yellamma Devi. The deity Yellamma is taken out for a procession. Over 10 lakh devotees attend the fair annually.

New Year, Makar Sankranthi, Navaratri, and Diwali festivals are also celebrated with high reverence.

Benefits of Worshipping at Saundatti Renuka Yellamma Temple

It is believed that worshipping at Saundatti Renuka Yellamma Temple can bring blessings, good health, prosperity, and success in life. Devotees believe that praying for her can protect them from all negative forces. The temple is also known for its power to fulfil the wishes of devotees.