Nanded · Maharashtra
Mahurgad Temple
One of the three-and-a-half Shakti Peethas of Maharashtra. The sacred place where Parashurama performed last rites, blessed by Lord Dattatreya.
Shakti Peetha
Sacred History
Renuka Yellamma — Origin
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The legends of Renuka are contained in the Mahabharata, the Harivamsa and the Bhagavata Purana. She is worshipped as the patron Goddess of south Indian states — Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu — revered as the "Mother of the Universe" or Jagadamba.
Known by many sacred names:
Marathi: श्री. रेणुका / येल्लुआई • Kannada: ಶ್ರೀ ಎಲ್ಲಮ್ಮ ರೇಣುಕಾ • Telugu: శ్రీ రేణుక / ఎల్లమ్మ • Tamil: ரேணு/Renu
Marathi: श्री. रेणुका / येल्लुआई • Kannada: ಶ್ರೀ ಎಲ್ಲಮ್ಮ ರೇಣುಕಾ • Telugu: శ్రీ రేణుక / ఎల్లమ్మ • Tamil: ரேணு/Renu
Childhood — Born of the Sacred Fire
Renuka Devi, daughter of the king of the Vidhrabha region, is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Parvati in Kruthayuga. King Prasnejit of the Suryavamsha Ikshvaaku dynasty remained childless despite three wives. Upon performing a holy fire ritual (yagna), from its flames arose a radiant baby glittering like gold — not born from a womb but from fire. The king named her Renuka (also called Ayonija and Agnija). From childhood she was spiritually advanced and mastered every art a princess must know.
"At the suggestion of Saint Agasthya, King Prasnejit arranged Renuka's marriage with Saint Jamadhagni — one of the Saptharshis, from the lineage of Bhrigu Maharshi. As a divine wedding gift, Lord Indra bestowed the celestial cow Kamadhenu, who grants every wish."
Trials, Penance & Transformation
Living with sage Jamadhagni at the hermitage near Kundalipuram (present-day Tamil Nadu), Renuka gave birth to five sons — Vasu, Viswa Vasu, Brihudyanu, Brutwakanwa, and Ramabhadra (Parashurama), an incarnation of Lord Mahavishnu. By her deep devotion she could fashion water pots from dry sand and carry them balanced on a black cobra.
A fateful morning at the river — where she saw the shadow of a Gandharva couple in sensual play — shattered her concentration, broke her pot, and drew the curse of Sage Jamadhagni. Cast out, afflicted with a dreadful skin disease, she wandered to the tribal Chandalavaatika, where a kind woman named Mathangi healed her with herbs. Through severe penance ordered by Lord Shiva himself, Renuka cooked holy rice on the heat of her own body, offered it to Shiva, and bathed in a sacred spring — her sins and ailments washed away.
The Great Transformation — She Became Yellamma
Upon her return, Sage Jamadhagni decided to liberate her soul through Kapaala Moksha. He commanded Parashurama to behead her. Mathangi tried to intervene and was also beheaded. When Jamadhagni granted Parashurama a boon and he asked to revive his mother, Parashurama in haste joined the wrong heads — Renuka's head with Mathangi's body, and Mathangi's head with Renuka's body.
Parashurama called out "Mari-Amman" (mother who has changed) — thus Renuka became Mariamman. The other — Renuka's body with Mathangi's head — was named Yellamma (mother of all). Sage poured his divine Shakti into Yellamma, who moved to the forests and began blessing all people. She is also known as Dhandu Mariamman and Verkaadu Mariamman.
Kamadhenu, Kartaveeryarjuna & Parashurama's Vow
The arrogant king Kaarthaveeryarjuna — blessed with a thousand arms by Lord Dattatreya — came to Jamadhagni's hermitage, was enthralled by Kamadhenu's miracles, and demanded the sacred cow. When the sage refused, the king killed him and stole the cow. Renuka called for Parashurama twenty-one times — once for each arrow that killed her husband. Parashurama slew the king, recovered the cow, and later at Mahurgad, received the blessing of Lord Dattatreya. After conducting last rites, Parashurama pledged to traverse the earth twenty-one times to restore dharma among kings.
Sacred Destinations
Temples of Shri Renuka Yellamma
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From the Shakti Peethas of Maharashtra to the ancient shrines of Karnataka and the sacred grounds of Andhra Pradesh — Mata Renuka Yellamma is worshipped across every corner of India.
Belgaum · Karnataka
Yellamma Gudi, Saundatti
Built in 1514 on the Siddhachal Parvat hilltop. Every year 200,000 devotees gather here. Renuka Devi lived here after marrying Sage Jamadhagni.
Ancient Pilgrimage
Hyderabad · Telangana
Balkampet Yellamma Thalli
The famous temple where the idol is placed 10 feet below ground. A sacred well with healing waters draws devotees from across the country.
Famed Shrine
Panvel · Raigad · Maharashtra
Nandgaon Temple
With Devi's blessings, her temple stands at Nandgaon, Panvel. Devotees come in great numbers to seek her divine grace.
Devotional Centre
Panvel · Raigad · Maharashtra
Usarli Khurd Temple
The local temple of Shri Renuka Yellamma at Usarli Khurd, serving the Panvel region with great devotion and regular pujas.
Devotional Centre
Nanded · Maharashtra
Mahurgad Renuka Devi Temple
Mahur or Mahurgad is a town in Nanded district, also the birthplace of Hindu God Dattatreya. The famous Renuka Mata Temple is considered one of the three-and-a-half Shakti Peethas of Maharashtra. It is believed that Renuka Mata, wife of Sage Jamadagni, was decapitated here by Parashurama and her head fell at this place. Renuka was given rebirth as a boon.
The Shakti Peetha Connection
Shakti Peethas are shrines enshrined with the presence of Shakti due to the falling of body parts of Sati Devi. There are 51 Shakti Peethas linked to the 51 Sanskrit alphabets. The Shakti of Mahur is addressed as Renuka Devi. A grand fair is held every year on Vijayadashami.
Holy Attractions
Lord Dattatreya Temple, Anusaya Mata Temple, Devdeveshwar Temple, Lord Parshuram Temple, Sarvatirtha, Matru-Tirtha, Pandav Leni, Mahurgad Fort, and the Unkeshwar Hot Spring (50 km from Mahur) with sulphur-rich medicinal water.
How to Reach
Maharashtra ST buses connect from Nagpur, Amravati, Akola, Nanded, Yavatmal and Pusad. From Mumbai: reach Shegaon by train, then bus or taxi. From Pune: Pune-Amravati train to Washim (then 80 km by road).
📍 Get Directions to Mahurgad
Belgaum · Karnataka
Yellamma Gudi, Saundatti
Known as ರೇಣುಕ ಯಲ್ಲಮ್ಮ ದೇವಿ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ, this pilgrimage temple is situated on the Siddhachal Parvat hilltop (now called Yellamma Gudi), 5 km from Saundatti town, overlooking the Malaprabha river. Built in 1514 by Bomappa Nayaka of Raybag, archaeological evidence suggests a temple existed here during the Rashtrakuta or Chalukyan period (mid-8th to mid-11th century).
Seven Divine Mothers — Saptamatrika
The goddess is revered as one of the Saptamatrika or seven divine mothers who protected the earth. She is also known as Yelumakkaltai ("the mother of seven children" in Kannada). Three sacred water tanks — Kumkum Kundam, Yoni Kundam, and Arihan Kundam — are considered holy bathing sites. A sacred well called Jogal Bhavi has water believed to cure skin diseases.
Temple Shrines
Within the precincts stand shrines of Lord Ganesh, Mallikarjun, Parashuram, Eknath, and Siddeshwar. The temple has been under Karnataka Government management since 1975.
📍 Get Directions to Saundatti
Hyderabad · Telangana
Renuka Yellamma Thalli, Balkampet
One of the most famous temples of Renuka Yellamma Thalli is located at Balkampet in Hyderabad. Every year in the Ashadha month, the Yellamma Kalyanothsavam is celebrated with thousands of pilgrims performing special rituals. The idol of the goddess is notably placed 10 feet below ground level.
Healing Waters
A sacred well within the temple complex is believed by devotees to have healing properties. A bath here is said to purify one of all disorders and skin diseases — this holy water is called Theertham. An Akhand Jyoti is also present, lit during the temple's renovation. Nita Ambani visits the temple whenever in Hyderabad to express her faith in the deity.
Every year, a gathering of as many as 200,000 devotees assembles at the Yellamma Gudi temple in Saundatti. The Balkampet temple serves as a significant spiritual focal point for devotees across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Panvel · Raigad · Maharashtra
Nandgaon Renuka Temple
With the blessings of Goddess Shri Renuka Yellamma, her temple has been built at Nandgaon, Panvel. Many devotees from across the Raigad and Navi Mumbai region come here to seek her divine blessings and offer prayers. The Chaitra month Poornima Palki is a major event, attracting large numbers of faithful devotees — it is considered the most sacred month and palki of Shri Renuka Yellamma Devi.
📍 Get Directions to Nandgaon Temple
Panvel · Raigad · Maharashtra
Usarli Khurd Renuka Temple
The Renuka Yellamma Temple at Usarli Khurd, Panvel is the primary temple maintained and managed by the Panvel Shri Renuka Yellamma Temple trust. It serves as the administrative centre for this website and community. Regular pujas, aartis and festivals are conducted here with great devotion. The site is maintained and managed by the Panvel Shri Renuka Yellamma Temple trust.
📍 Get Directions to Usarli Khurd Temple
Divine Darshan
Devi's Gallery
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A sacred collection of images from all the temples — click any to view
Devotees Speak
Blessings by Shri Renuka Yellamma Devi
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Hundi — Temple Seva
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Every rupee donated to the Hundi goes toward temple seva, pujas, maintenance and the upkeep of these sacred spaces. May the Goddess shower her blessings upon you and your family.
Every rupee donated to the Hundi goes toward temple seva, pujas, maintenance and the upkeep of these sacred spaces. May the Goddess shower her blessings upon you and your family.
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Contact & Temple Addresses
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The site is maintained & managed by Panvel Shri Renuka Yellamma Temple. Visit any of our temples for darshan and blessings.