Yellamma Devi Jatra

 Yellara Amma Yellamma

Goddess Yellamma is renowned for her prodigious power in southern India. She also goes by the names Renuka, Jogamma, Holiyyamma, Ekvira, and Ellai Amman in the public eye. Her temples are situated in the Karnataka State districts of Soudathi in the Belgaum District, Chandraguthi in the Shimoga District, and Hulgi in the Bellary District. There are well-known temples devoted to Yellamma in nearby states including Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana. Shakthi Peethas include Mahur in Maharashtra and Soudatti in Karnataka. The Mahabharata, Harivamsa, and Bhagavata Purana all feature legends about Renuka.

The Legend Story

King Renu, Renuka's father, staged a Yagna. a fire ceremony carried out to preserve tranquility and health in his realm. The celestial Gods were pleased with his devotion and gave him a daughter from the yagna's fire as a gift. She was given the name Renuka because she was king Renu's daughter. When she was eight years old, monarch Renu's guru, the sage Agastya, gave him advice to arrange for his daughter to marry muni Jamadgni when she was old enough. Jamadagni, the son of Ruchik Muni and Satyavati, attained the gods' favour by engaging in arduous penance. In the Ramshrung Mountains, close to the modern-day Saundatti region, lived Renuka and Jamdagni Muni. Renuka assisted Jamdagni Muni with all of his duties, including carrying out various pujas and rites. She was able to make one brand-new pot made entirely of sand every day since her devotion was so strong. On the banks of the river Malaprabha, she would fill a pot and support it with a local snake that she had transformed into a rope-like convolution and placed on her head. She, therefore, carried the water to muni Jamdagni for his sacrifice ceremonies. Vasu, Viswa Vasu, Brihudyanu, Brutwakanwa, and Rambhadra are the five sons born to Renuka.

When Renuka visited the pond one day, she noticed Gandharva, a heavenly creature who was soaring above the pond with his wife, reflected in the water. She only fleetingly remarked on how lovely the gandrava is. She briefly lost focus and her loyalty to her spouse as she began to consider another man. She lost her ability to gather water in unbaked pots, which she had gained from her chastity because she was preoccupied. She spilled the water she had gathered. She was disappointed by this and worriedly went back to the ashram. Jamadagni, using his yogic abilities, was able to see all of these events. Jamadagni grew enraged and yelled at her to leave. Renuka travelled to the east and sat in a forest to meditate after being cursed by her husband. She visited the saints Eknath and Joginath as part of her penance; she prayed for them and begged for her husband's forgiveness. They comforted her first, then told her to take their counsel and do what they said. They instructed her to worship a Shivalinga that they had given her after cleansing herself by taking a bath in a nearby lake. She should next proceed to the adjacent town and approach houses there to beg for rice. In Karnataka, women still do this practice, still known as "Joga Bedodu," from October to January. In Telugu, "Yellamma Jogu" and in Marathi, "Jogawa."

After gathering the rice, she was instructed to prepare the remaining half, add jaggery, and consume it while paying complete devotion to the saints. They advised her to carry out this rite for three days so that she may see her husband on the fourth day. Knowing Jamadagni's rage, they forewarned her that she might not receive a full pardon from him and that she would have to go through the hardest time of her life for a short while. They said, "After that, you will be bestowed with your husband and will be revered for all time. Everybody will start worshipping you from now on. They blessed her in this way, then vanished. Renuka worshipped the Shivalinga with complete care and reverence while devoutly adhering to their teachings. She visited her spouse on the fourth day. Jamadagni, who was still enraged with Renuka, ordered his four older boys to slaughter their mother, but none of them complied. For defying his order, Jamadagni cursed his four sons to turn into stones. As Parashurama was contemplating Lord Shiva, Jamadagni summoned his fifth son and gave him the task of beheading Renuka Devi. Following his father's instructions, Parashurama instantly used his axe to behead his mother. 

The words of Parashurama's father are more valuable than Vedic mantras, despite the fact that he is dedicated to his mother. Jamadangi was incredibly happy to see how devoted Parashurama was to him. Then he granted Parashurama's wish, which was to have his mother and brothers revived. Here, the narrative takes a surprising turn. According to one tale, "To everyone's surprise, Renuka's spirit multiplied and moved to numerous locations. Also present was the entire Renuka. Her sons and others were motivated by this miracle to follow her and worship her. According to a different account, Renuka "probably ran to a village of fishermen and sought refuge in one of the fishermen's homes. The fisherwoman prevented her son Parashurama from entering her home when he came over, and as a result, Parashurama even murdered her and his mother Renuka. Jamdagni was pleased with Parasurama's devotion and bestowed a blessing upon him. Parasurama is said to have accidentally attached the woman's head to Renuka's body and vice versa when he later brought them back to life. Parashuram asked Jamadgani to switch the right head for the right body as an act of repentance for the error he had committed. This, however, went against nature's plan, as it is claimed that Jamadagni chose to marry Renuka while continuing to worship Yellamma, the universal mother. Through this miracle, she attracted followers and worshippers, including her four eunuch sons.

The majority of Yellamma's adherents, who are still poor and illiterate, still take a pledge when they are unable to handle life's challenges to dedicate themselves, their spouses, or their children to the service of the goddess. Life-threatening illnesses, infertility, and severe financial difficulties are among the frequent circumstances. These are the persons who are in charge of honouring the Goddess and disseminating her virtues and accomplishments. The initiation of the Jogathis (female) and Jogappa (male) volunteers into the service of Goddess Yellamma takes place at a lavish event. New adherents must bathe in three holy ponds before going to the head priest in the company of local elders and other family members. The priests deliver them a protracted speech outlining the requirements for appeasing Yellamma. They must identify with the extremely unlucky and destitute and work for society. They go to the Yellamma shrine twice a year on full moon days to show and prove their submission. They must observe absolute nudity or be partially wrapped in neem leaves for this semi-annual rite. The foreheads of Yellamma's followers are painted with vermilion and turmeric (Haldi) (Kum-kum). Cowries and shells are used to make necklaces, earrings, and crowns. Some of them don't even wear any jewellery. Although the male followers dress like men, many Jogappas opt to wear Jogathis (symbolic of the sons of Renuka who became impotent).

The Jogathis frequently wear a bamboo or metal basket or vessel on their heads that stand still by itself. As a result, it appears to be a part of their body. The cult's adherents think it was made possible by the blessings of their deity. A brass bust of Yellamma is intended to be carried by the basket or vessel. A wide variety of flowers are used to embellish it in a very attractive way. Some Jogathis accomplish the same thing by using cloth of various colours. It is amazing to watch them dance while wearing the icon. They follow a set pattern as they dance in time. Drummers are one or two Jogappas.

This temple honours Yellamma or Renuka Devi and is located at Soudatti in the Belgaum District of Karnataka, India. It is about 37 kilometers from Dharwad. Festival season typically runs from October to February at this temple. The Chalukya and Rashtrakoota dynasties built this temple in the sixteenth century. In the compound, there are shrines dedicated to Parusurama, Shiva, and Ganesha. Farmers (devotees) in the area have made it a custom over many years to trek to the jatra on bullock carts. In the compound, there are shrines dedicated to Parusurama, Shiva, and Ganesha. Farmers (devotees) in the area have made it a custom over many years to trek to the jatra on bullock carts. Saundatti has around 70,000 bullock carts. From the districts of Belagavi, Dharwad, Bagalkot, and Gadag, special bus services have been organized. Devotees travelling to the fair clogged all highways leading to the temple from Saundatti, Bailhongal, Yargatti, Munnoli, Nargund, and Navalgund. "All arrangements have been made for the worshippers, including drinking water, lodging, public restrooms, and more," the administration declares. To offer free medical assistance, specialized mobile clinics have been placed. 

An ancient settlement called Saundatti emerged from the River Malaprabha river basin. Several temple towers and a fort dominate the city's skyline. The town has a long history dating back more than a thousand years when it played a significant role in the Ratta Dynasty. It was originally known as the Temple Town of the Malaprabha River and was a thriving centre for the Jain religion. The Savadatti were known historically as Sugandavarti "Sougandipura." From 875 to 1230, it served as the Ratta dynasty's capital before moving to Belgaum. The Rashtrakuta dynasty went by a number of names, including the Ratta clan.

Yellamma Devi and Kali, the goddess, are often compared. While Kali is renowned for punishing evildoers and destroying them, she is also a loving mother who bestows love and blessings on her followers. She is revered in this place in this aspect. A Jain inscription at the temple mentions the Rashtrakuta rulers Krishna and Vikramaditya in Sanskrit and Kannada. By Bommappa Nayak in 1514, this temple was built. It was constructed using elements of both Rashtrakuta and Chalukyan architecture. In the courtyard of the temple, there are minor shrines for Ganesha, Mallikarjuna, Parashurama, Eknath, and Siddheshwara. The management of the temple is presently handled by the government. The Navilu Teertha Dam creates the Renuka Saagara, which touches the low-lying regions of Saundatti. Here, in a location known as Jogullabhaavi, there is a temple. Before going to Yellamma hill, pilgrims come here to take a holy bath.