Goddess of Rural Folk- Yellamma

Renuka or Yellamma has secured special place as the Goddess (devi), in the Hinduism. Yellamma is a supporter goddess of rural folk of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Her devotees have revered her as the "Mother of the Universe" or Jagadamba. Yellamma is worshipped mostly in South India, in Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh and also in Maharastra, where the deity is known by many names: Mahankali, Jogamma, Somalamma, Gundamma, Pochamma, Mysamma, Jagadambika, Holiyamma, Renukamata, Yellamma, Mariamma and Renuka Devi.  
 
"Renu" means "Atom/Mother of Universe”.  Renu also means anthill. More popular in Indian States like Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharshtra, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamilnadu

History of the Deccan tells us that the ritual of temple women (or devadasis) was well established by the 10th century A.D. The Devadasis were invariably women, typically resided in the temples, and were educated as artists and courtesans. It is not clear if the Yellamma cult has its roots in the Devadasi tradition. There are many stories about the origin of the Yellamma cult. The most prevalent one says that Renuka was the daughter of a Brahmin, married to sage Jamadagni and was the mother of five sons. She used to bring water from the river Malaprabha for the sage's worship and rituals. One day while she was at the river, she saw a group of youths engaged themselves in water sports and forgot to return home in time which made Jamadagni to suspect her chastity. He ordered his sons one by one to punish their mother but four of them refused on one pretext or the other. The sage cursed them to become eunuchs and got her beheaded by his fifth son, Parashuram. Jamadagni was pleased at his son’s obedience and granted him three boons. Parushurama used one of the boons to bring his mother back to life. Renuka’s beheaded head could not be traced. Head of a lower caste woman named Yellamma was attached to Renuka’s body.

Renuka Vs Yellamma 

Jamadagni accepted the woman who had Renuka's body, the other form came to be popular known as Yellamma, which means mother to all and is being devoutly worshiped from then by the lower castes the people as Yellamma, the mother of all.  She is also known as Matangi , Renuka, and Yellamma are all names of the Goddess.

To everybody's astonishment, Renuka's head multiplied by tens and hundreds and moved to different regions. This miracle made her four eunuch sons and others to become her followers, and worship her head. As a lower caste woman achieved the higher status of being a Brahmin’s wife. Following the tradition a number of young girls of lower caste started to be dedicated to the goddess Yellamma as devadasi is as per research work done on Yellamma describes.

Again, in  some parts of India  centuries the  practice developed under which a few women at young age were given for God or married to God and thus  as Devadasis, Jogins, Basavis, Paravatis or Mathammas. The devadasis lived in the temples and carried out some rituals related to temples and participated in temple functions. In fcat the so called clasical dance called Bhartanatyam and Oddissi are modern adaptation of Sadir dance developed and preserved the devadasis in tamil Nadu and Orissa.  In course of time, devadasis were portrayed as prostitutes and as immoral women. However, the system of devadasi  was legally abolished many years ago in all states of our country.  Renuka temples spread across the country was abode of devadasi. 

To discuss about devadasi I think I need to go for a separate post. Well, Yellamma is the only she Goddess worshiped by all folk artists and they also narrate her story through oral narratives along with other tales. 

Mahur in Maharashtra is consider as one of the Shakthi  peetams , is famous for Goddess Yellamma’s temple. Mahur is supposed to be the birthplace of the goddess, as per "Devi Bhagawatham"  makes the reference as, "Matripura in the  Sahyadri mountain; here the Devi Renuka dwells...".

 

In Telangana,  Balkampet Yellamma Temple is quite famous. The last Bonalu feastivity concludes here. Recently Smt. Nita Ambni of Founder o f Reliance Foundation visited this temple.  Another yellamma temple   famous is Nalgonda, Telangana.  

In Tamil Nadu, Renugambal Amman Temple is situated in Padavedu, Thiruvannamalai District and it is one of the most important Sakthi Sthalas. Another powerful temple of Renuka  is located in Kudithalai near Triruchirapalli. It is believed that this is the place where Renuka was beheaded “Kudu” meaning Give and “Thalai” meaning head. Hence, it is said that in Kuduthalai her head is found and Vettuvathalai her body. Vettuvathalai is now known as Pettavathalai. However, I could not get much information about these two places. But yes, she was worshiped by all caste including Brahmins. Yet another well known Renuka Parameshwari is located in Tiruchampalli near Sembanarkoil in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu.

Yellamma Gudi temple (Yallamma Temple in Google Earth) in Saudatti, Belagaum District of North Karnataka is very famous. Similarly, very famous temple of Renuka Yellamma is located in Bidarahalli, Gadag, Karnataka, India. It is believed that after marriage with sage Jamadagni, Renuka devi lived in this place. Renuka used to wake up early in morning and have bath in the holy Tungabhadra River. Another temple Renukambe (Yellamma) is atop a hill in Chandragutti, Soraba Taluk in  Shimoga. This temple is an example of ancient architecture and dates back to the Kadamba  period

One of the old and among the most revered temples of Hyderabad is the Yellamma Temple located at Balkampet, popularly called the Balkampet Yellamma temple. The temple is thronged by heavy crowd on Sundays and Tuesdays and is quite famous for the annual Bonalu Jathara festivity that takes place in Hyderabad. Balkampet Yellamma Goddess is also considered as an incarnation of Goddess Kali. Devotees offer animal sacrifice here. The most important event here is the celestial marriage ceremony of the temple goddess, Yellamma Kalyanotsavam. Bonalu Jathara Festival at Balkampet Yellamma Temple falls in the calendar only after Golconda Bonalu Jathara followed by Ujjaini Mahankali Bonalu Jathara each year.

The temple was first constructed in 15th Century AD and later renovated in the early 20th century. The idol of the goddess here is seen 10 feet lower than the ground level and the devouts believe that the water in the well here can cure all ailments. The holy water is treated as Theertham. The temple also has Akhand Jyothi, which was lit during the renovation. It is situated at a distance of 10 km from Secunderabad Railway Station and is just 3 km away from Ameerpet junction.

Quite a lot of research work is done on Yellamma and is still on going. Yet another story between Mahura nd Saudatti. The interesting thing is that the place Mahur in Maharshtra and Soudatti in Belgaum District of Karnataka is the main place of Yellamma. As per the story beheaded head fell in Saudatti and body in Mahur and hence they became a places of worship.

Even today, one can find Jogappas, Joginis and also the practice of young girls from lower Schedule Castes given in marriage to the deity and later which are associated with sexuality, transgender  child abandonment and prostitution.

I have a special liking for this Goddess without reasons. What ever the legend be of Yellamma stories-one of the reasons being that as a Woman she was under the control of Husband and Sons. Who did not have her wish or liking or even could not appreciate. She was subjected to torture and finally it was a woman from lower caste who came as aid to her. Well, as per Jambupuranam-the story differs totally.

"Gondhal" the traditional  folk art of Storytelling popular in Maharasthra and Karnataka.

During festive occasions in houses like marriages, Upanayanas etc , this art form is being enacted The presenter of Gondhal is called "Gondhali." narrate the “Sri Renuka Mahatamaya”. During which they only recite the story till the arrival of Parasurama and not beyond.