The Belagavi district administration identifies Yellamma with Renuka and dates the present hill temple to 1514, built by Bomappa Naik of Raybag. It places the shrine five kilometres from Saundatti on the hill formerly known as Siddhachal.
Sacred narrative and history
Renuka’s story belongs to Hindu sacred tradition and should be named as such; the 1514 construction date belongs to the historical record supplied by the district. Keeping those kinds of evidence distinct makes both clearer.
A pilgrimage, not a spectacle
The jatres bring worshippers from several states. Visitors should follow current crowd controls, avoid intrusive photography and never sensationalise the temple’s difficult social history.