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.
Have you ever been to this temple? If not then let me tell you it’s a must-visit if you are in Belagavi. Not too far, the Saundatti Yellamma temple is just 90 km away from Belagavi, and 500 km from Bangalore.
The roads are well-connected. Many devotees visit the temple every year to experience the divinity of the place and see the architectural beauty of the temple. The place is most crowded during the Jatras which is held twice a year but it is something to experience once in your life.
A lot of people actually do not know much about the temple, and this article will be very helpful for you if you are going to visit the temple. We’ll talk about the Saundatti Yellamma Temple timings, its spiritual history, importance, online booking, location, and everything.
| 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
The Saundatti Yellamma temple darshan timings are different on weekdays and weekends. You can visit the temple on any day of the week from Monday to Sunday. Devotees can visit during the darshan hours on weekdays between 06:30 am -04:30 pm and 06:30 pm – 10:00 pm. On weekends, the darshan timings are between 06:30 am – 04:30 pm.
The darshan opening and closing times of the temple are as follows:
| Day | Darshan 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 Online 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.
Best 10 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.