Tirtha Atlas

The sacred geography of the Indic world — every site mapped, dated, storied, and cited.

1126 sites15 countries4 traditions30 centuries
Late medieval · Hindu · India

Yellamma Temple, Saundatti

ಯಲ್ಲಮ್ಮ ದೇವಿ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ ಸವದತ್ತಿ

Saundatti, Belagavi, Karnataka · 15.7540°, 75.1600°

Yellamma (Renuka)Nayaka (Bomappa Nayaka)Chalukya and Rashtrakuta
Sacred since
750 CE
first attestation / structure
Standing structure
1514 (Bomappa Nayaka of Raybag)
Nayaka (Bomappa Nayaka)

History & significance

A hilltop shrine to the goddess Yellamma, identified with Renuka and revered as a deity of fertility, drawing very large pilgrim gatherings from Karnataka and neighbouring states. The present structure was built in 1514 by Bomappa Nayaka of Raybag on a site that had held a temple since the Rashtrakuta and later Chalukya centuries.

Sthala katha — the legend

The katha tells how Renuka, wife of the sage Jamadagni, broke her vow of chastity and was beheaded by her son Parashurama at his father's command, only to be restored to life by the sage; some versions say she was revived with another woman's head, which is why she is also called Yellamma.

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Sources

coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-27 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Nayaka (Bomappa Nayaka)