Śrī Reṇukā Yellamma Temple, Saundatti
Yallammana Gudda
The mother of the red hill, above the Malaprabha
⭐ Why it is famous
A hilltop Devī temple drawing lakhs of devotees who carry bhaṇḍāra (turmeric) and offer it in fistfuls until the whole hill turns gold. The Bhāratahunnime full-moon fair is one of Karnataka's largest gatherings.
📜 Pilgrimage history
The shrine tells the story of Reṇukā, wife of sage Jamadagni and mother of Paraśurāma, who was beheaded at her husband's order and restored to life — worshipped since as Yellamma, mother of all. The present Chalukya-Rashtrakuta style structure was largely built in the 1514 period and repaired by the Deshmukh chiefs of Saundatti.
🕰️ Temple timings
- Darśan 06:00 – 20:00 daily
- Special abhiṣeka on Tuesdays and Fridays
🙏 Darśan details
- Free darśan; long queues on full-moon days and through Mārgaśīrṣa
- Bhaṇḍāra (turmeric) and coconut are the usual offerings, sold at the base
- Steps and a motorable road both reach the hilltop
- Temple prasādam counters near the main gopura
🚉 Location & getting there
📍 Śrī Reṇukā Yellamma Temple, Saundatti, Saundatti, BelagaviDharwad (DWR) — 60 km
Saundatti bus stand — state transport buses stop here.
Belagavi (Sambra) (IXG) — 85 km
Buses every 30 minutes from Belagavi (78 km), Dharwad and Bagalkot; the last 5 km climb is by shared jeep or private vehicle.
🪔 Poojas, sevās & tickets
This temple does not publish a rate list. Darśan is free; ārcanā, abhiṣeka and other sevās are booked at the counter inside the temple on the day.
🧭 Around the temple
Places to see besides the temple — tap any one to open it in Google Maps.
🛏️ Where to stay
- Temple trust rooms at Yallammana Gudda, ₹300–₹800
- Hotels in Saundatti town, ₹900–₹2,500
- Better hotels in Belagavi or Dharwad for a comfortable night
₹ Indicative trip cost (per head, 2 days)
| Budget | Standard | Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| ₹1,800 | ₹3,800 | ₹8,000 |
🛕 Nearby temples
📌 Other attractions nearby
- Navilutheertha (Renuka Sagar) dam
- Parasgad fort
- Godachinamalki falls
🧵 Part of these circuits
📅 Best time to visit
October–February; Bhāratahunnime (Mārgaśīrṣa full moon) is the great fair