Saundati Yellamma Temple also known as Renuka Temple is an ancient Hindu Temple near Belagavi in Karnataka. Saundatti Yellamma Temple is a temple of the goddess Renuka which is why it is named Renuka Temple.
The temple is just 90 km away from Belagavi and it is well connected with roads. A lot of tourists visit this place daily due to its architecture and ancient beliefs.
| Location | Saundatti, Belagavi District, Karnataka, India |
| Deity | Goddess Renuka (Yellamma) |
| Distance from Belagavi | 90 km |
| Architectural Style | Chalukyan and Rashtrakuta, with influences of Jain architecture |
| Constructed by | Bomappa Naik of Raybag in 1514 |
| Major Festivals | Jatras held twice a year |
| Facilities | Dharmashalas, health centers, and other amenities provided by the government |
| Other Temples on Premises | Temples of Lord Ganesh, Mallikarjun, Parshuram, Eknath, Siddeshwar, and others |
| Significance | Pilgrimage site for devotees from Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa, and Andhra Pradesh |
| Government Management | The temple has been managed by the government since 1975 |
| Nearby Attractions | Navilutirtha, Malaprabha Dam, and other historical and natural sites in Belagavi District |
Saundatti Yellamma Temple History
The temple was built by Bomappa Nayaka of Raibog in 1514. As per the ASI, after finding archaeological evidence, it was found that the temple architecture is very similar to that existed during Chalukyan or Rashtrakuta period.
There are some structures that date back to even earlier periods.
As of now, the temple is managed by the Government of Karnataka and there are a lot of facilities under the temple for the devotees who come from far away just to visit the temple.
Saundatti Yellamma Temple Darshan Timings
You can visit the temple on any day of the week from Monday to Sunday. The opening and closing times of the temple are as follows:
| Day | Time |
|---|---|
| Monday | 6:30 AM – 4:30 PM, 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 6:30 AM – 4:30 PM, 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 6:30 AM – 4:30 PM, 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Thursday | 6:30 AM – 4:30 PM, 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Friday | 6:30 AM – 4:30 PM, 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Saturday | 6:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Sunday | 6:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
Saundatti Yellamma Temple Rooms Booking
If you are planning to visit the Saundatti Yellamma Temple you can either stay in the guest house which is managed by the Government of Karnataka or you can book a hotel near the temple.
The Karnataka Temple Association offers an average of rooms for devotees with minimum charges. In total, it has 242 rooms that can be booked online from their official website.
How to Reach Saundatti Yellamma Temple
Saundatti Yellamma Temple is not too far from Belagavi city and even if you live in any other city, the rads are well connected and you can come by road, railway, or airplane.
Belagavi to Saundatti Yellamma Temple
Renuka Devi Temple or Saundatti Yellamma Temple is just 90 km from Belagavi city and will take almost 2 hours to reach there. The road conditions are good and you can either go by your transport or take KSRTC busses or private busses to reach the beautiful temple.
Bangalore to Saundatti Yellamma Temple
The distance to Saundatti Yellamma Temple from Bangalore is 480 km and it will take almost 8 hours to reach. You can take a train, or bus, or can travel by your own means. The best would be to take a train.
Dharwad to Saundatti Yellamma Temple
Dharwad to Saundatti Yellamma Temple is just 43 km and can be covered in an hour.
Tourist Places Near Saundatti Yellamma Temple
There are a lot of tourist places near Saundatti Yellamma Temple that you can visit.
| Tourist Place | Distance from Saundatti Yellamma Temple |
|---|---|
| Renuka Sagara (Navilteertha) | 25 km |
| Sogal Falls | 29 km |
| Gokak Falls | 40 km |
| Belgaum Fort | 67 km |
| Godchinamalaki Falls | 44 km |
| Ramteerth | 35 km |
| Kittur Fort and Palace | 41 km |
| Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary | 81 km |
| Kamal Basadi, Belgaum | 74 km |
| Hidkal Dam | 20 km |
Saundatti Yellamma Temple Dress Code
It is important to follow the dress code in Saundatti Yellamma Temple otherwise you won’t be allowed in the temple.
| Dress Code | Details |
|---|---|
| Men | Shirt & Trouser, Dhoti or Pyjamas with upper cloth |
| Women | Pilgrims/visitors will not be allowed inside the temple if the dress code is not followed |
| Applicable to Foreigners | Yes |
| Prohibited Items | Shorts, mini-skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans, short-length T-shirts |
| Enforcement | Pilgrims/visitors will not be allowed inside the temple if dress code is not followed |
References:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellamma_Temple,_Saundatti
- https://belagavi.nic.in/en/tourist-place/yellamma-temple/
- https://www.renukayellamma.com/
- https://karnatakatemplesaccommodation.com/e/temples/sri-renuka-yellamma-temple-accommodation-saundatti
- https://saundatti-yellamma.karnatakaonline.in/guide/about-saundatti-yellamma
- https://temple.yatradham.org/temple/yellama-temple-saundatti
- https://belagavi.nic.in/en/tourist-place/yellamma-temple/
- https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g8300117-d8295481-Reviews-Shree_Renukaa_Yallamma_Devi_Temple-Saundatti_Belgaum_District_Karnataka.html
- https://velpu.com/temple/SRI-RENUKA-YELLAMMA-TEMPLE-/NDgx#:~:text=Dress%20Code&text=Shorts%2C%20mini%2Dskirts%2C%20middies,dress%20code%20is%20not%20followed.