Yallamma Temple records highest-ever donation of Rs 3.6 crore this quarter

Belagavi: The counting of offerings at the famed Yallamma Temple in Saundatti, a famous pilgrimage site in South India, was completed on Thursday. A total of Rs 3.6 crore was collected through offerings. Previously, the amount collected during each counting ranged between Rs 1 crore and Rs 1.5 crore, but this time, the offerings have doubled.
The counting was conducted for 89 days, from Dec 14, 2024, to March 12, 2025. The hundis (donation boxes) contained Rs 3.4 crore in cash, gold ornaments worth Rs 20.8 lakh, and silver ornaments worth about Rs 6.4 lakh. Foreign currencies from countries like the USA and Netherlands were also found in donation boxes.
During the Banada Hunime and Bharata Hunime (full moon festivals), a significant amount of offerings were received. Last year, the number of devotees was lower, and the expected amount of offerings were not received. However, due to abundant rainfall this year, farmers had good harvest and visited the temple in large numbers.
The collected money was deposited into the temple's savings account and will be used for development works and improving facilities for devotees, according to Ashok Dudagunti, administrator of the Saundatti Yallamma Temple Development Authority.
"Steps have been taken for the development of Yellammanagudda, and efforts will be made to enhance facilities for devotees. This has caused an increase in the temple's revenue," stated Saundatti MLA Vishwas Vaidya.
Counting was conducted in the presence of tahsildar Mallikarjun Heggannavar, muzrai department officer Balesh Abbai, temple deputy secretary Nagaratna Cholini, and others.