Saundatti Jatre
Yellamma Temple,
also known as Renuka Temple, is a temple of Goddess (Devi) Renuka and a
pilgrimage destination located near Saundatti in Karnataka. It is situated on a
hilltop known earlier as Siddhachala
Parvata and now known as "Yellamma Gudi", named after the temple.
The deity in the temple is the goddess Yellamma or Ellama or Renuka, revered as
a fertility goddess. The temple is associated with the ancient Devadasi practice of dedicating girls to
the temple, which the Government of Karnataka claims to have eliminated. The
hill, a part of the Siddhachala or
Ramagiri hill range which overlooks the Malaprabha river, contains archaeological
evidences of occupation dating to the mid-8th to mid-11th centuries of the
early Rashtrakuta or late Chalukya period, and includes megalithic
tombs which predate these periods.
Location
The hill on
which the Yellamma Temple sits is part of the Siddhachala or Ramagiri range, oriented east-west and overlooking
the Malaprabha river near the town of Saundatti.
History
The temple was
built in 1514 by Bomappa Nayaka of Raybag. According to archaeological evidence
found around the temple, a temple existed here either during the early
Rashtrakuta or late Chalukyan period from the mid-8th to the mid-11th
centuries. The megalithic tombs found here are dated to a much earlier period.
Also seen on the hill are potsherds of early historic redware dated to the 3rd
century BC to the 3rd century AD, in addition to megalithic blackware and
redware. It is believed that the Yellamma fertility cult was prevalent here
even during the Chalukyan period, following their taking possession of this
region from the Kadambas of Banavasi.
Another place of
worship is the sacred "Yogarbavi
Satyabamma Kunda" or tank at the lower end of the hill, where devotees
bathe and put on new clothes before proceeding to the temple for worship. A
notable custom observed here is called "Nimmana", which involves the circumambulation of the
"Sathyamma Temple" with neem leaves in their mouths. The temple deity
is also known as Jagadamba, meaning "Mother of the Universe" and is
believed to be a form of Kali.
The temple has
been under the management of the Government of Karnataka since 1975. Facilities
for pilgrims visiting the temples, like free guest houses, health centers, and
other basic facilities, have been created by the government.
Temple Features
The Yellamma
Temple is built in the Chalukyan and Rashtrakuta styles, as evidenced in the
carvings created in Jain architecture. According to the government gazetteer,
the goddess worshiped in the temple is associated with Parasurama's (an
incarnation of Vishnu) mother Renuka, the wife of the sage Jamadagni. She is
revered as one of the Saptamatrika or
seven divine mothers, who protected the earth and its rulers. The goddess is
also known as Yelumakkaltaayi,
meaning "the mother of seven children" in Kannada language. She is a
cult figure worshiped by the pastoral community of the Dhangar and Kurumbas of
southern Maharashtra and North Karnataka.
There are three
water tanks or ponds at the back side of the temple known as Kumkum Kunda, Yoni Kunda, and Arishina Kunda. These are considered
holy and are places where people bathe and offer worship. There is also a
sacred well called the Jogala bhavi;
the water of this well is believed to cure skin diseases. Another location
adjacent to the temple known as Parasurama Kshetra is believed to be the site
where Lord Parausrama sat in penance.
Within the
temple precincts stand shrines dedicated to Lord Ganesh, Mallikarjun,
Parashuram, Eknath, and Siddeshwar.
Festivals
Festivals are
held at the venue of the temple twice a year during October to April. A very
large number of pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh, Goa, and Maharashtra visit the
temple during these festivals.
