Saundatti Yellamma Temple is one of the oldest Temples in Karnataka State. It is dedicated to Goddess Yellamma, the name literally meaning ‘the Mother of the Universe.’ She is Goddess Renuka, enshrined here as Yellamma, and is also known as Jagadamba. This beautiful hill Temple is situated in Saundatti town, about 70 Km from Belagavi city. People hold this Goddess and Temple in much reverence and come here in large numbers to pray to her. They believe the Goddess has worked many miracles, and she would also relieve them of their problems.
Saundatti Yellamma Temple Legend
The legend associates Yellamma with Parashurama, the aggressive, axe-wielding Avatar of Vishnu, who rooted out all evil from earth. Jamadagni was a great sage, and Renuka was his wife. They had 5 sons, one of them was Parashurama. Once, an unfortunate development made the sage suspect his wife’s loyalty to him. In a fit of rage, he asked his sons to behead their mother. It was heinous to decapitate someone; that too, it was unthinkable for the children to behead their own mother. So, the sons refused their father’s order, but other than Parashurama.
Parashurama, as the name suggests, always carried an axe as his weapon, and he obeyed his father’s command implicitly and separated his mother’s head from her body without any hesitation. In the process, he also beheaded another woman who intervened to save his mother. In addition, he also decapitated his brothers, who dared to say ‘no’ to their father.
Seeing his son’s unquestioning obedience, Jamadagni was delighted and told Parashurama to ask for any boon, which he would grant. Parashurama, who was just waiting for this opportunity, immediately grabbed his father’s offer and requested that he bring his mother and all others back to life. Jamadagni agreed and restored all of them to life.
But in the process, there was a mix-up, and according to mythology, the bodies and heads of the 2 women got interchanged. Realizing that no one could do anything at that stage to set things right, Jamadagni accepted the woman with the body of his wife Renuka and the head of the other as his wife. The other woman with the head/face of Renuka became the Divine being, Goddess Yellamma.
Saundatti Yellamma Temple Structure and Architecture
This is a Temple from the state of Karnataka, and its architectural style naturally is that of the dynasties that ruled this part of the country- the Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas. The Temple lies on a mountain, earlier known as the Siddhachal Parvat and presently as Yellamma Gudda, about 5 km from Saundatti town. While the structure is a Chalukyan and Rashtrakuta creation, the Temple carvings reflect the Jain architectural style. There are also records to show that one Bomappa Nayaka of Raybag built the Temple in its present form in 1514, and it was renovated several times subsequently. But the archeological findings close to the Temple reveal that a Temple structure stood at this location even during the period of about 3 centuries, between the middle of the 8th and 11th centuries, possibly during the late Chalukyan or early Rashtrakuta era, vouching for the antiquity of this place of worship.
Further, the megalithic tombs, pottery, and earthenware found in this belt indicate that this area must have been inhabited as early as the 3rd century BCE.
It is said that this large Temple was built around the goddess idol, which was found about 10 feet below the ground level. It has a big Rajagopuram, the entrance tower. Apart from the sanctum for the presiding deity Renuka Devi, worshiped as Yellamma, the Temple complex has shrines for Shiva, Mallikarjun, Parashurama, Ganesha, Nagaraja, Siddeshwara and Ekanath.
Saundatti Yellamma Temple Festivals
The Temple celebrates all the festivals usually observed in the state and particularly in that part of the state, like Navaratri, Deepavali, Makar Sankranthi, and Ugadi. They also enthusiastically celebrate the festivals Banada Hunnime and Bharathi Hunnime. Moreover, they observe the festival of Jatre, when they take Goddess Yellamma in procession.
This Temple attracts devotees not only from Karnataka but also from neighboring Maharashtra, Goa, and Andra Pradesh. A large number of devotees visit this place, especially during Jatras, which is held twice a Year.
Benefits of Saundatti Yellamma Temple Worship
Devotees believe that the Goddess is kind and benevolent; her grace can protect them like an amulet and free them of all obstacles and difficulties. They regard her as a guardian angel and a talisman against all negativities that hamper their lives. People who surrender to her completely can receive her immense blessings for a healthy body and mind, confidence, and a good life.
