Major facelift planned for Savadatti Yellamma temple

Belagavi: The historic Renuka Yellamma temple in Savadatti is set for a significant transformation with the government’s nod to the Shree Renuka Yellamma Kshetra Tourism Development Board. A bill regarding this was recently passed during the winter session held in Belagavi. The board aims to convert the over 500-year-old historical temple premises into an international-level tourism spot. The government has chalked out a plan to construct 2,000 rooms for tourists in the next two years, as more than 1.25 crore people visit this temple annually from Karnataka, Maharashtra, and other South Indian states. Tourism minister HK Patil, who visited the temple on Saturday, availed details regarding the temple and the amenities required to be developed. He instructed them to start reform works immediately on the temple premises, as three major fairs are scheduled in the next three months. The five-day-long Hostila Hunnime fair will begin on December 25. Banada Hunnime fair which is held for over two weeks will begin on January 25 and the major Bharati Hunnime fair will begin on February 24. Ahead of these fairs, the tourism department has planned to provide 100 fibre-made temporary cabins for changing the clothes for men and women at Jogulabhavi. A majority of devotees visit the main temple after taking a bath at Jogulabhavi, a sacred well. So far, women devotees faced inconvenience while changing clothes after bathing.The government has also decided to start ‘fodder dasoha’ for the cattle that arrive at the temple during all three fairs. As estimated, more than 1,000 bullock carts arrive from Maharashtra and various parts of Karnataka during Banada Hunnime and Bharati Hunnime fairs. The government has planned to distribute free fodder to the bullocks and has instructed the temple authorities to start collecting the fodder. The government is also going to arrange a temporary facility for tying the bullocks and feeding blocks for them. According to minister HK Patil, the Renuka Yellamma temple has no dearth of funds and land. It has more than 1,000 acres of land. It is one of the top 10 temples in the state with the highest income through donations from devotees.Speaking to the TOI, temple administrator SPB Mahesh said CM Siddaramaiah will inaugurate various reform works and a yatri nivas building on January 20. “As instructed by minister HK Patil, we will be opening dormitories of the tourism department for the devotees this time and will be providing some new facilities for the devotees,” he said.
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