Sri Renuka Mata Temple

Devi Renuka/ Yelluai/ Yellamma, the princess of Emperor Prasenjit of ancient India, is worshiped as the goddess of the fallen. Worshipers of the goddess are found in rural Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. Apart from Mahurgad in Maharashtra, Renuka Mata appeared in various avatars like Yamai, Ekvira, Mohta, Padmakshi Renuka for demon slaying and for the welfare of devotees. Devotees consider her as “mother of the whole world” i.e. “Jagdamba”.

Yallamma Devi is considered to be a form of Kali herself. One hand of Yallamma Devi is the destroyer of ego and the other hand is the benefactor of the devotees. Goddess Yellamma is mainly worshiped in South India and there she is known by various names such as Mahakali, Jogamma, Somalamma, Gunddamma, Pochamma, Maisamma, Jagadambika, Holiamma, Renukamata, Yellamma, Mariamma and Renuka Devi. The temple shown in the picture below is located at Mahurgad near the village of Mahur in the tribal area of Nanded district of Maharashtra state, India.

Renuka was the princess of an ancient Indian king named Prasenjit, and the wife of the sage Jamadagni. The couple had five sons, one of whom was Parashuram.

The Renuka Devi temple is situated on top of a hill and is surrounded by caves. One has to climb about 200-250 steps to reach the temple. There are temples of Lord Parashuram and Lord Dattatreya in this area. Renukadevi is decorated with various gold ornaments like gold flower earrings, gold garlands, nose rings.

Mahur is a very religious place and there are many temples around it. The place is surrounded by forests rich in teak trees and wild life. Mahur was an important fort in Berar history.

Priests perform various pujas to idols. Devotees are allowed to perform Aarti on their own in Renuka Devi Temple.