Shri Yamai Devi Temple, Aundh
Devi (Yamai) temple · Aundh, Satara, Maharashtra, India
The Shri Yamai Devi Temple is a goddess temple on a hilltop at Aundh in Khatav taluka, Satara district, Maharashtra (Incredible India; Zilla Parishad Satara). The hill beside the village, about 800 feet high, is known as Mulpeeth or Mulipith, and the shrine on its summit is dedicated to the goddess Yamai (Zilla Parishad Satara; Pudhari). The temple is in Aundh village of Khatav taluka (TV9 Marathi).
Yamai is the village deity of Aundh and the family deity of the Pant Pratinidhi family, the former rulers of Aundh (Zilla Parishad Satara; Pudhari). The Ministry of Tourism also describes her as the family deity of many Marathi families (Incredible India).
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Shri Yamai Devi Temple, Aundh
The Ministry of Tourism describes Yamai as a combined form of the goddesses Parvati and Renuka, and as representing the union of Shiva and Parvati (Incredible India). According to tradition, during the exile Rama was searching for Sita when Parvati appeared before him in Sita's form to test him; Rama recognised her and called out "Ye Mai" ("come, Mother"), and this form of the goddess came to be called Yamai (Incredible India).
Besides the hilltop shrine, Aundh has a Yamai temple in the village itself, worshipped as Gramnivasini Yamai, while the hilltop temple is described as the goddess's original seat (Pudhari). Festivals link the two temples and the goddess Karad Devi, who is worshipped in the old palace of Aundh (Pudhari).
Heritage
History of Shri Yamai Devi Temple, Aundh
Aundh was the headquarters of a jagir held by the Pant Pratinidhi family, whose two-storeyed Maratha-style wada stands in the village (Zilla Parishad Satara). The family continues to be closely associated with the goddess: its members lead the palanquin procession and worship of Yamai during the Navratri festival (Pudhari).
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
The Shree Bhavani Museum, founded by the Pant Pratinidhi rulers of Aundh and now run by the Government of Maharashtra's archaeology and museums department, can be visited along with the temple (Zilla Parishad Satara; Incredible India). Confirm current arrangements and timings with the Shri Yamai Devi Devasthan Trust or local authorities before visiting.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with the temple administration before travelling. Last reviewed 11 October 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Shri Yamai Devi Temple, Aundh
Yamai Devi Yatra
The annual pilgrimage at the hilltop temple peaks around Shakambhari Pournima, when the goddess is taken out in procession in a palanquin (Incredible India).
Shardiya Navratri
The Shri Yamai Devi Devasthan Trust holds a festival with daily kirtans at the village temple, an Ashtami yatra with a palanquin procession and puja on Mulpeeth hill, and a Dussehra procession from the village (Pudhari).
Location
How to Reach Shri Yamai Devi Temple, Aundh
The temple stands on the hill next to Aundh village in Khatav taluka, Satara district (Zilla Parishad Satara; Incredible India). The Ministry of Tourism names Satara railway station as the nearest railhead and Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj Airport, Kolhapur, as the nearest airport (Incredible India).
Location: Aundh, Satara, Maharashtra, India
Nearest airport: Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj Airport, Kolhapur
Nearest railway station: Satara
Questions
Shri Yamai Devi Temple, Aundh: Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Yamai Devi Temple of Aundh?
It stands on top of Mulpeeth, a hill of about 800 feet next to Aundh village in Khatav taluka, Satara district, Maharashtra (Zilla Parishad Satara; Incredible India).
Is this the Aundh near Pune?
No. This temple is at Aundh in Khatav taluka of Satara district (Incredible India; TV9 Marathi).
Whose family deity is Yamai?
She is the village deity of Aundh and the family deity of the Pant Pratinidhi family (Zilla Parishad Satara). The Ministry of Tourism says many Marathi families also worship her as their family deity (Incredible India).
How did the goddess get the name Yamai?
According to tradition, Rama recognised Parvati when she appeared in Sita's form and called out "Ye Mai", meaning "come, Mother", which gave the goddess her name (Incredible India).
When is the Yamai Devi Yatra held?
The annual yatra falls in the Hindu month of Paush, usually in January, and peaks around Shakambhari Pournima (Incredible India).
What happens at the temple during Navratri?
An Ashtami yatra is held on Mulpeeth hill with a palanquin procession, puja and aarti led by members of the Pant Pratinidhi family (Pudhari).
What else is there to see at Aundh?
Aundh has the Shree Bhavani Museum, an art museum founded by the Pant Pratinidhi rulers and now run by the Government of Maharashtra (Zilla Parishad Satara; Incredible India).
Sources and attribution
- © OpenStreetMap contributors — location data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
- Wikidata Q8047826 — structured data (CC0)
- Wikipedia — Yamai Temple — text facts from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
- Incredible India (Ministry of Tourism, Government of India) — Yamai Devi Yatra, Satara
- Zilla Parishad Satara — Aundh (tourist places)
- Zilla Parishad Satara — Aundh Museum and Yamai Devi Temple
- Pudhari — Aundh Navratri Festival: औंधच्या शारदीय नवरात्र उत्सवास आज प्रारंभ
- TV9 Marathi — साताऱ्यातील यमाई देवी तळे परिसर लखलखणार
Further reading: Shri Yamai Devi Temple, Aundh on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Spotted an error? Write to info@hindutone.com — see our editorial policy.
