Yellamma Temple, Saundatti
About Yellamma Temple, Saundatti
Situated approximately five kilometers from Saundatti town on a hilltop formerly called Siddhachal Parvat and now known as Yellammanna Gudda, this temple honors Goddess Yellamma (also called Ellama or Renuka). The sanctuary draws devotees from Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa, and Andhra Pradesh, particularly during the biannual Jatra festivals held in January-February, which attract hundreds of thousands of pilgrims. Archaeological investigations have revealed occupation evidence spanning the mid-8th to mid-11th centuries, corresponding to the early Rashtrakuta or late Chalukya periods, with megalithic tombs predating these eras. The temple was constructed by Bomappa Naik of Raybag in 1514 and displays architectural characteristics of the Chalukyan and Rashtrakuta periods with Jain influences. The site has been managed by the Government of Karnataka since 1975 and is historically significant for its association with the ancient Devadasi practice, which the state eradicated through the Devadasi Prohibition Act of 1982.
How to reach
You may also visit
Tiger Cave
5Tiger Cave Temple is a Buddhist monastery complex near Krabi, Thailand, featuring a challenging 1,260-step ascent to a hilltop summit crowned with a Golden Buddha statue and panoramic limestone vistas.
Gajanan Maharaj Temple, Kanhor
A small shrine dedicated to Sant Gajanan Maharaj located in Kanhor, constructed by devotees as part of the broader network of temples honoring this revered Maharashtra saint.
Chokkeeswarar Temple
Chokkeeswarar Temple in Kancheepuram is a ninth-century Hindu shrine built during the Chola dynasty and protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.