The famous Shri Renuka Yellamma Temple at Yellammana Gudda in Saundatti taluk of Belagavi district is in the news for two reasons — a huge collection of offerings worth ₹2.69 crore and an unusual handwritten request found inside the temple hundi (a place where people deposit their offerings). While devotees deposited cash, gold and silver ornaments in the temple, a letter asking the goddess to remove bedbugs from a devotee’s house went viral on social media.
The hundi counting at the popular Yellamma temple showed devotees had offered ₹2.69 crore in cash and valuables. It shows that devotees still have faith in the presiding deity who is worshipped across North Karnataka and neighbouring areas.
The temple received ₹2.34 crore in cash. Gold offerings were valued at about ₹26.95 lakh and silver offerings were estimated to be ₹7.32 lakh.
The value of offerings was about ₹2.69 crore so the hundi counting event was a big event for temple administration and devotees as well.
₹2.69 Crore Offering Collected in Yellamma Temple Hundi
Shri Renuka Yellamma Temple at Yellammana Gudda in Saundatti taluk is one of the major religious places in Belagavi district. Devotees from different parts of Karnataka (North Karnataka) come to seek blessings of Goddess Yellamma in this temple.
The hundi is part of the temple offering system where devotees donate money, jewellery and other valuables as an expression of their faith.
“In the last counting exercise, hundi of the temple was found to contain Rs 2.34 crore cash; gold ornaments worth Rs 26.95 lakh and silver offerings worth Rs 7.32 lakh,” said an official.
These papers emphasize the large number of devotees who visit the shrine and offer prayers as part of their religious practice.
Devotee's Unusual Letter Found Inside Hundi Goes Viral
Apart from the huge financial collection, an unusual handwritten letter found in temple hundi (a hole dug in the floor of the temple) has become a major talking point.
The letter contained a personal request to Goddess Yellamma to remove bedbugs from the devotee’s home.
In the message, the devotee reportedly wrote: "Mother, let the bedbugs leave our house. Let all the bedbugs go away from our home."
The devotee also promised to go to the temple and make a religious vow by breaking coconuts and offering fruits if the problem was solved.
The unusual request was noticed because it was simple and everyday. Many devotees write letters for blessings for health, family welfare, financial stability, education and employment but this letter was specific to a household nuisance.
The letter apparently went viral when details of what was inside it came out during the hundi counting process.
A Personal Household Problem Becomes a Temple Hundi Talking Point
Bedbugs are small insects that can cause a lot of discomfort in homes hiding in mattresses, furniture, beds and cracks in walls. Their bites itch and disturb sleep so infestations are especially frustrating for families.
The devotee’s request illustrates how people bring even their smallest personal worries before a deity — for the person who wrote the letter, bedbugs were serious enough that they sought divine intervention.
The promise to go to the temple, break coconuts and offer fruits is also a well-known religious vow that devotees follow.
The incident has been interesting because it reveals the personal hopes and concerns that people have expressed through temple offerings.
Saundatti Yellamma Temple: A Major Pilgrimage Centre in North Karnataka
Shri Renuka Yellamma Temple at Yellammana Gudda is an important pilgrimage centre in Karnataka. Devotees from Belagavi, Dharwad, Bagalkot, Vijayapura, Gadag and other districts visit the shrine regularly.
The temple is known for the worship of Goddess Renuka Yellamma. Religious gatherings and pilgrimage activities draw a large number of devotees throughout the year.
The latest hundi collection of ₹2.69 crore and viral letter have once again put the Saundatti Yellamma Temple in focus.
Cash and jewellery offerings show how much devotees give but the unusual letter has grabbed public attention because of its relatable request. The two developments show how differently devotees express their faith and seek blessings from Goddess Yellamma.
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