Renuka Yellamma Temple

Temple information

Darshan timings

05:00 – 22:00

Established

11

Best time to visit

Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere

Deity

Deity form

Sacred self-manifested (Swayambhu) stone bust / head of Goddess Renuka with radiant silver kavacha

Religious tradition

Agamic Shakta & Folk Tantric Traditions of the Deccan

Sanskrit name

श्री रेणुका येल्लम्मा मन्दिरम्

Also known as

Saundatti Yellamma Gudi, Yellamma Gudda Temple, Renuka Devi Mahakshethra

Darshan hours

Monday

05:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Tuesday

04:30 AM - 11:00 PM

Wednesday

05:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Thursday

05:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Friday

04:30 AM - 11:00 PM

Saturday

05:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Sunday

04:30 AM - 11:00 PM

Break timings

No break; continuous darshan with scheduled alankara intervals

Special days

Banada Hunnime, Bharata Hunnime: 24 Hours Open

Festival timings

Open continuously day and night during Jathara days

Aarti & rituals

Morning aarti

06:00 AM

Midday aarti

12:30 PM

Evening aarti

07:00 PM

Night aarti

09:45 PM

Special aarti days

Tuesdays, Fridays, Purnima, Amavasya

Ritual schedule

Nirmalya Visarjana, Ksheerabhishekam, Mahapuja, Kumkumarchana, Naivedya, Ekantha Seva

Pooja timings

06:00 AM - 01:00 PM, 04:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Abhishek timings

05:30 AM - 07:00 AM

Special poojas

Available

Online pooja booking

Yes

History & heritage

Historical period

Medieval

Built by

Rattas of Saundatti and expanded under Kalyani Chalukyas & Maratha rulers

Architect / builder

Deccan guild sculptors and Ratta royal builders

Construction materials

Dressed black basalt stone, granite pillars, mortar shikhara

Historical events

Mentioned in regional epigraphs and Sahyadri Khanda of Skanda Purana

Renovations

Renovated under Karnataka Muzrai (Religious Endowments) Department

Archaeological importance

State Heritage Monitored Monument

Legends

Traditional belief: Sage Jamadagni was slain by Kartavirya Arjuna’s sons; Renuka struck her chest 21 times, leading Parashurama to rid earth of tyranny

Inscriptions

Inscriptions of Ratta chiefs and Kalyani Chalukya kings in old Kannada script

Architecture

Architectural style

Mixed

Architectural period

11th - 13th Century CE

Structure

Hilltop fortified prakara with Garbhagriha, Antarala, Navaranga, and large tiered courtyard

Floors

1

Gopuram

Multi-tiered stucco and stone Vimana gopuram painted with Shakta themes

Mandapa

Pillared Navaranga hall with heavy stone columns and pradakshina patha

Sculptural features

Iconic stone head of Renuka covered with embossed silver sheet and vermilion; Parashurama and Matangi idols

Artistic elements

Intricately carved stone door lintels with Gajalakshmi motifs

Construction technique

Dry-stone interlocking masonry and mortar superstructure

Unique features

Celebrated Joga and Chowki traditions; holy holy water tank Yogikolla located down the hill

Festivals & events

Festival calendar

Margashirsha Shukla Purnima to Pushya Purnima (Annual Jathara)

Special celebration days

Every Tuesday and Friday, Purnima days

Cultural events

Folk percussion (Chowdike), classical vocal bhajans, Shakta Janapada music

Annual events

Yellamma Devi Maha Jathara (attracting over 1.5 million pilgrims from Karnataka and Maharashtra)

Peak crowd season

November to February (Grand Jathara season)

Visitor information

• ✓ Parking
• ✓ Wheelchair accessible
• ✓ Restrooms
• ✓ Drinking water
• ✓ Shoe keeping
• ✓ Prasadam counter

Dress code

Traditional

Best time to visit

Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere

Parking capacity

100+ Vehicles

Parking fees

Approx. 20-50 INR

Donation counters

Yes

Donation methods

Cash, UPI, Bank Transfer

Prasadam

Laddu; Pulihora