Yellamma Jatre 2026: Saundatti Yellamma Devi Fair — Dates, Rituals and Pilgrim Guide

Quick answer: Yellamma Jatre is the major annual pilgrimage and temple fair for Goddess Renuka Yellamma at her hilltop shrine near Saundatti, Belagavi district, Karnataka. Several jatras run between October and February, mostly on full-moon days, with the Margashirsha Purnima (Neeramanavi) fair widely regarded as the grandest. Exact lunar dates shift yearly, so confirm locally before travelling.

Yellamma Jatre — also known as the Yellamma Devi Fair or Saundatti Jatra — is the major annual pilgrimage and temple festival dedicated to Goddess Yellamma (Renuka Yellamma) at her primary shrine on Yellammanna Gudda hill near Saundatti (Savadatti) in Belagavi district, Karnataka. It is one of the most important folk-religious gatherings of North Karnataka, drawing devotees from Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Rather than a single day, the Jatre unfolds as a season of fairs held mostly on full-moon (Purnima / Hunnime) days between October and February. The hilltop turns vibrant and is often soaked in yellow from turmeric and bhandara, blending intense devotion, folk celebration, healing hopes and community bonding around the figure devotees call the "Mother of All."

• Festival: Yellamma Jatre (Yellamma Devi Fair / Saundatti Jatra)
• Deity: Goddess Yellamma (Renuka Yellamma)
• Location: Renuka Yellamma Temple, Yellammanna Gudda hill, near Saundatti (Savadatti), Belagavi district, Karnataka
• Season: Multiple jatras between October and February, mostly on full-moon (Hunnime) days
• Grandest fair: Margashirsha Purnima — Bharat Hunnime / Neeramanavi Yellamma Jatra (usually Nov–Dec)
• 2026 reference: One key reference places a major Yellamma Jatara around 23 December 2026 (Margashirsha period) — confirm locally
• Devotees drawn from: Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh

When is Yellamma Jatre? Dates and the 2026 calendar

Yellamma Jatre is not one event but several jatras spread across the cool months, most falling on full-moon days. The Margashirsha Purnima fair — known as Bharat Hunnime or the Neeramanavi Yellamma Jatra, usually in November–December — is widely regarded as the grandest of the season. A later major fair, Banada Hunnime, falls in the Magha month (January–February), and there are other full-moon observances such as Davana Hunnime.

For 2026, one key reference places a major Yellamma Jatara around 23 December, within the Margashirsha period. Because these dates follow the lunar calendar, they shift each year. Always confirm the exact dates locally with the temple or district authorities before planning travel.

Location and scale

The hilltop Renuka Yellamma Temple (Yellamma Gudi) stands about 5 km from Saundatti town and roughly 80–85 km from Belagavi, overlooking the Malaprabha River. On peak days the hill fills with pilgrims arriving by bus, car, bullock cart or on foot — from tens of thousands to over a hundred thousand on the biggest days, with cumulative seasonal numbers much higher.

Key rituals and observances

Devotion at Yellamma Jatre is expressed through a rich sequence of rituals, some involving considerable physical effort and penance. Common observances include:

• Holy bath in the sacred Jogul / Jogal Bhavi well or kunds, believed to be purifying and healing — especially sought for skin ailments.
• Climbing the hill and darshan, often after standing in long queues; some devotees perform Urulu Seve, rolling on the ground, or Deergh Namaskar as an act of surrender.
• Offerings and Shakti Puja with coconuts, flowers, turmeric, vermilion, neem leaves and food.
• Nimmana — circumambulating the temple while holding neem leaves in the mouth as a gesture of humility and penance.
• Chariot and procession elements; the Neeramanavi Jatra in particular includes chariot processions and special rituals.
• Folk performances — the chaudike (chowdki) stringed instrument, devotional singing and Dollu Kunitha dance — carried along by the continuous chant "Udho Udho Yellamma!"
• Community cooking and overnight camping on and around the hill.

Cultural traditions and their history

Yellamma Jatre carries distinctive cultural dimensions that are important to understand respectfully and in their proper context.

Jogappas and Jogathis

Jogappas and Jogathis are transgender and gender-fluid devotees who consider themselves spiritually married to the Goddess. They play important ritual and performative roles at the Jatre — singing, dancing and carrying sacred baskets — and are a visible, integral part of the celebration.

The historical Devadasi / Jogati tradition

Historically, some girls (and sometimes boys) were dedicated to the Goddess under the Devadasi / Jogati tradition. This practice was legally prohibited in Karnataka in 1982 and has sharply declined under legal and social pressure, though residual instances have been reported. Modern celebrations focus on open pilgrimage and devotion rather than any formal dedication. Some traditional observances have also involved symbolic widowhood rituals linked to the Jamadagni death-and-revival myth — the temporary removal and restoration of marital markers — and these have faced criticism from reform groups. These practices are noted here as history, without endorsement.

Atmosphere and significance

During the fair the hill turns vibrant, often soaked in yellow from turmeric and bhandara, while stalls sell religious items, clothes, toys and food. The mood blends intense devotion, folk celebration, hopes of healing (for skin diseases and fertility), prayers for family welfare, and community bonding. For pastoral, agrarian and marginalised Deccan communities, Yellamma Jatre is both a major spiritual event and a reaffirmation of cultural identity centred on the "Mother of All."

Practical notes for pilgrims

District administration and temple authorities arrange temporary facilities, water, parking, traffic control and security during peak days. Even so, climbing the hill amid large crowds and in heat or cold takes effort, and waits can be long. A few simple preparations help:

1. Confirm the exact jatra date and local arrangements before you travel, as lunar dates shift each year.
2. Arrive early on peak days to manage long queues and the climb up the hill.
3. Prepare for weather extremes and crowds — carry water, sun protection and warm layers as the season demands.
4. Follow the guidance of temple authorities and district staff on parking, traffic and security.

Related reading

• Renuka Yellamma: the story and symbolism of the Goddess
• Full-moon (Hunnime / Purnima) festivals of Karnataka
• North Karnataka temple fairs and folk traditions
• Pilgrimage etiquette and safety for large temple jatras

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Yellamma Jatre held?

Yellamma Jatre is not a single day but a season of fairs held mostly on full-moon (Hunnime / Purnima) days between October and February. The grandest is the Margashirsha Purnima fair (Neeramanavi / Bharat Hunnime), usually in November–December, followed by Banada Hunnime in the Magha month (January–February).

Where does Yellamma Jatre take place?

It is held at the hilltop Renuka Yellamma Temple (Yellamma Gudi) on Yellammanna Gudda hill, about 5 km from Saundatti (Savadatti) town and roughly 80–85 km from Belagavi in Karnataka, overlooking the Malaprabha River.

Which is the grandest Yellamma fair?

The Margashirsha Purnima fair — known as Bharat Hunnime or the Neeramanavi Yellamma Jatra, usually held in November–December — is widely regarded as the grandest of the season and includes chariot processions and special rituals.

What are the main rituals of Yellamma Jatre?

Key rituals include a holy bath in the sacred Jogul Bhavi well or kunds, climbing the hill for darshan, Shakti Puja with coconuts, turmeric, vermilion and neem leaves, Nimmana (circumambulation holding neem leaves in the mouth), and penance such as Urulu Seve. Folk music, Dollu Kunitha dance and the chant "Udho Udho Yellamma!" fill the air.

Who are the Jogappas and Jogathis?

Jogappas and Jogathis are transgender and gender-fluid devotees who consider themselves spiritually married to the Goddess. They play important ritual and performative roles at the Jatre, including singing, dancing and carrying sacred baskets.

Is the Devadasi tradition still practised?

The historical Devadasi / Jogati practice of dedicating girls (and sometimes boys) to the Goddess was legally prohibited in Karnataka in 1982 and has sharply declined under legal and social pressure, though residual instances have been reported. Modern celebrations focus on open pilgrimage and devotion rather than any formal dedication.

Why do devotees bathe in the Jogul Bhavi well?

The sacred Jogul (Jogal) Bhavi well and kunds are believed by devotees to be purifying and healing, and the bath is especially sought by those hoping for relief from skin ailments. These are matters of faith and tradition, with no guaranteed outcomes.

What should pilgrims know before travelling?

Confirm the exact jatra date and local arrangements in advance, as lunar dates shift each year. Arrive early on peak days, prepare for long queues and the hill climb in heat or cold, and follow the guidance of temple authorities and district staff, who arrange water, parking, traffic control and security.