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The Yellamma Devi fair is one of the important fairs of Karnataka. The popular fair is held on various occasions from October to February months but the credit of the largest fair owes to Margasira, which is held on the full moon day.
The Yellamma fair is organized in the honor of Yellamma Devi or Renuka, at the Yellamma temple located at Saundatti in Belgaum district.
The temple is located on the top of the Yellammagudda hill and is the shrine of Yellamma Devi or Renuka, wife of Sage Jamadagni.
The fair is very familiar among the Maharashtra, Andhra, Madhya Pradesh and Goa states other than Karnataka as large number of people visit the place to witness the fair on the full moon day of Margasira.
The full moon day is also termed as the Bharat Hunnime and is considered very auspicious and sacred.
The well-known Neeramanavi Yellamma jatra is taken out in the fair of full moon day on the holy day of Bharat Hunnime. The goddess Yellamma is worshipped with all rituals and customs on this day in the form of Shakti Puja. The trend of becoming Devadasis or slaves of God is generally practiced during the Yellamma Devi fair.
About Shri Yellamma Devi Fair
Shri Yellamma Devi fair at Saundatti is held about 5 times between October and February. But the largest is the one held on the full moon day of Margasira.Yellamma Devi FairThe Yellamma Devi fair is held at the Yellamma temple located in Saundatti of Belgaum district. The Yellamma temple is the shrine of Yellamma Devi or Renuka, wife of Sage Jamadagni. The temple is located atop a hill known as Yellammagudda.
Even though the Yellamma Devi fair is held on many occasions between October and February, the biggest celebration takes place on the full moon day of Margasira. On this auspicious day known as the Bharat Hunnime, the famous Neeramanavi Yellamma jatra is taken out. On this occasion, the goddess Yellamma is worshipped in the manner of Shakti Puja, complete with all its attendant rituals.
During the Yellamma Devi fair, women become Devadasis or slaves of God. This age-old practice has been dubbed as religious prostitution by NGOs and other social organizations. More than 30 thousand devotees from Raichur, Bellary, Bagalkot, Bijapur, Gulbarga, Bidar, Belgaum and various districts of Maharashtra, Andhra, Madhya Pradesh and Goa participate in the Yelamma fair and the car festival.
Significance of shri Yellamma Devi Fair
Shri Yellamma Devi Fair ground is held to honour Yellamma Devi or Renuka. The temple grounds at Saundatti in Belgaum district or Karnataka built in reverence to Shri Yellamma Devi spring to life during this time of the year. Situated on top of the Yellammagudda hill lies the shrine of Yellamma Devi or Renuka, who is believed to be the wife of the great Sage Jamadagni.
The full moon day on which the biggest Shri Yellamma Devi fair is held is also known as “Bharat Hunnime” and is one of the most sacred and auspicious days in the Hindu calendar in this part of India. The Neeramanavi Yellamma is the well known jatra which is carried out on this day in the fair. Yellamma the goddess is worshipped and Shakti Puja is performed. Another practice during the fair is the fashion of becoming Gods Slaves or Devadasis.
Karnataka, adorned with several ancient temples and rich cultural heritage celebrate various colourful fairs and festivals. Every town, city and village in the state has their own calendar with fascinating fairs and festivals. For the people of Karnataka, these variety of festivals are a celebration of life. Apart from the religious festivals, the state also conduct magnificent dance festivals and other fairs. The most important festivals and fairs of the state are Dussera, Ugadi, Kar Hunnive, Sri Vithappa Fair, Shri Yellamma Devi Fair etc.
