shri Yellamma Devi Temple, also called Renuka Yellamma Temple, sits atop Yellamma Gudda hill in Saundatti, Belagavi district, Karnataka, about 5 km from town and 70 km from Belagavi city.
Temple Significance
This ancient Shakti Peetha honors Goddess Yellamma (Renuka), revered as the mother of Parashurama and a fertility deity among the Saptamatrikas. Built around 1514 by Bomappa Nayaka with Chalukyan-Rashtrakuta architecture, it draws millions for healing rituals like kumkum archana, oil baths, and naivedya offerings on Tuesdays, Fridays, and full/new moons.
Key Features
Devotees climb 1,000+ steps to the hilltop shrine overlooking the Malaprabha River, passing smaller temples to Shiva, Ganesh, and Parashurama. Unique practices include salt offerings at Murukallu for eye issues and cradle rituals for progeny blessings; the clay idol receives daily sandalwood-turmeric anointing.
This view shows the temple’s striking yellow exterior with carved details against the hillside, typical of its sacred hilltop setting
