Today is *Bharat Hunnime (Pournami),* a special day at the *Saundatti Yellamma Temple* in Belgaum district, Karnataka.
The *Renuka Devi Temple,* also popularly known as the *Yellamma Devi Temple,* is the most famous pilgrimage center in North Karnataka. The *Yellamma Gudda (hill),* where Goddess Renuka Devi (Yellamma Devi) resides, echoes with the chants of “Udho Udho Udho…”
Yellamma Devi is associated with *Renuka,* the wife of *Sage Jamadagni* and mother of *Lord Parashurama,* as mentioned in the Puranas. Here, she is worshipped as *Renuka Devi* or *Yellamma Devi.*
Yellamma Devi is also identified with *Goddess Kali.* While Kali is known as the punisher of evil, she is also a loving mother who blesses her devotees. It is in this form that she is worshipped here. A *Jain inscription* in the temple, written in Sanskrit and Kannada, mentions the *Rashtrakuta kings Krishna and Vikramaditya.*
According to legend, *Renuka Devi* was the daughter of *Renuka Raja.* She married *Sage Jamadagni* (son of *Ruchik Muni* and *Satyavathi) and lived in the **Ramshrung mountains.* Jamadagni, known for his anger, had gained divine powers through severe penance. Renuka Devi assisted him in performing various rituals and poojas.
She gave birth to five sons: *Vasu, Viswa Vasu, Brihudyanu, Brutwakanwa,* and *Ram Bhadra.* Ram Bhadra was blessed by *Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati* and received the divine weapon “Ambikastra.” He was later known as *Parashurama.*
Renuka Devi followed a strict daily ritual. She would bathe in the *Malaprabha River* and, with full devotion, create a *pot out of river sand.* She would then catch a *snake, coil it into a ring, and place it on her head to support the pot. This act demonstrated her deep concentration and devotion to her **Pativrata dharma.* She would bring this water daily for her husband’s rituals.
One day, while at the river, she saw *Gandharvas (celestial beings)* playing in the water. For a moment, she imagined herself playing with her husband. Realizing this, she tried to resume her ritual, but the *sand pot would not form* and the *snake disappeared.* Feeling disappointed, she returned to the ashram.
Sage *Jamadagni, realizing what had happened, became furious and **cursed her, ordering her to leave.* He then commanded his sons to punish their mother, but none agreed—except *Parashurama.* Angered, Jamadagni cursed his other sons. Parashurama, obeying his father, *beheaded his mother with his axe.* Miraculously, her *head multiplied into hundreds* and scattered across different regions. This led to her *four eunuch sons* and others becoming her followers and worshipping her head.
The *Yellamma Temple* was built in *1514* by *Bommappa Nayak* in a mix of *Chalukyan and Rashtrakuta* architectural styles. The temple complex also includes shrines for *Ganesha, Mallikarjuna, Parashurama, Eknath,* and *Siddheshwara.* The government currently manages the temple.
The temple stands atop a *hill near Saundatti, an ancient town that was once the first capital of the **Ratta dynasty.*
The temple attracts devotees from Karnataka and neighboring states, especially during the *Yellamma Jatra* in *Margashira month.* Though fairs are held between *October and February,* the grandest celebration occurs on the *full moon day, ‘Bharat Hunnime’*, which is today.
