Yellamma temple also known as Renuka Yellamma temple is located on a hilltop known as Yellammanna Gudda in the Savadatti town of Karnataka. This temple is dedicated to goddess Renuka or Yellamma who is being worshiped as a fertility goddess(blesses devotees with children).
This hill was earlier called as Siddhachal Parvat and was renamed as Yellammanna Gudda after the temple. It is part of the Sidhachal or Ramagiri range which has the best open view of Malaprabha river.
History:
The temple was built in 1514 by Bomappa Nayaka of Raybag or Raibog. According to archaeological evidence, a temple was existed here during the early Rashtrakuta or late Chalukyan period from the mid-8th to the mid-11th centuries.
Another holy place here is the "Yogarbavi Satyabamma Kunda" or tank at the lower end of the hill. Devotees take a holy bath and put on new clothes here before going inside the temple.
There is a traditional ritual called Nimmana in which devotees make pradakshanas around the Sathyamma temple with neem leaves in their mouths. The deity here is also called as Jagadamba which means mother of the universe and she is a form of Kali.
How To Reach:
Savadatti bus stand is located at a distance of around 5.8 KM from the temple. You can take a local bus like 111 or 112 from the bus stand to reach the temple. Else, you can take a local taxi to reach the temple from Savadatti bus stand.
