Huligi – The Home of Divine Mother

Situated on the northern bank of river Tungabhadra just after crossing the bridge from Hospet, this small temple town is revered as a Shakti peetha by the followers.

Huligi is home to a temple dedicated to Goddess Renuka Devi worshipped here as Huligemma Devi. Renuka Devi is mother to Lord Parashurama – an avatar of Lord Vishnu who was blessed to be a chiranjeevi, an immortal. There is an interesting lore around how Renuka Devi, also worshipped b the name Yellamma Devi came to Huligi and started getting worshipped by the name Huligemma. This local tale has also been etched on a large granite slab and put up in the temple premises. Since the story is carved in the local language – Kannada, an effort is being made to translate the story here.

Two ardent devotees of Saundatti Renuka Yellamma Devi – by names Sri Nagajogi and Sri Basavajogi lived in the town of Huligi approximately 800 years ago. They both were disciples to Sri Somanathabhatta, the priest at nearby Sri Someshwara Temple. The priest would impart lessons of bhakti and tales of Renuka Yellamma Devi’s mahima to both his disciplies. Both Nagajogi and Basavajogi would go on a pilgrimage every month to Saundatti on the full moon day and seek the blessings of the Divine Mother.

It was a full moon day in the monsoon season. Both the jogis couldn’t make their journey to Saundatti due to incessant rain. Dejected and heartbroken, they both end up spending the whole night in rain chanting Yellamma Devi’s name and slipping into slumber. At the break of the dawn, Renuka Devi appears in their dream and announces that they need not fall into despair or struggle to make the arduous journey every month to Saundatti. That She would make her presence felt in Huligi itself and bless them with Her constant presence.

Nagajogi and Basavajogi narrate this dream to their guru Sri Somanathabhatta and all three of them begin searching for the signs. They spot a Shaligrama and a Srichakra in the western confines of the Someshwara Temple. The present-day inner sanctum of the Huligemma Temple is believed to be the place where Devi was found. A grand temple was built around and we continue to see the worship even after 800 years.

• Renuka Devi is the Divine Mother who bore Lord Vishnu Himself when He wanted to incarnate as Bhargava Rama or Parashurama. The devotees also believe that Devi represents fertility. There are hundreds of shops lining the street leading to the temple selling flowers, fruits bangles, coconuts, vermilion (kumkum) and green sarees – all marks of feminine divinity. Devotees buy these items and offer to the Mother Goddess inside the temple seeking Her blessings.
• Many devotees take bath in the river Tungabhadra before getting into the temple for Devi darshan. While some people may change into dry clothes after the river bath, don’t be surprised if some devotees to offer their prayers in wet clothes. It is quite common among temples situated on the river banks, sea shores and large temple tanks or pushkarinies for devotees to enter the temples in wet clothes. Few devotees may also choose to discard their old wet clothes into the river after their bath. This is again a tradition among few communities. Refrain from confronting or disciplining them 🙂
• Tuesdays, Fridays and Full moon days are special days for worshipping female deities in many Indian temples. Expect (more) crowd on those days at Huligemma Temple too
• Devotees are not allowed into the inner sanctum and may be required to offer their prayers from the mantapa outside. Please follow temple rules
• You are expected to leave your footwear outside the temple tower at a designated place. You you inside the temple barefoot. This is true in all temples with active worship and Huligemma Temple is no exception

Huligi town and the temple are at a distance of 2.5km from Huligi Cross / Hosalingapur on National Highway 50. There are buses and autorickshaws that ply on this short distance throughout the day. Huligi cross is approximately 11km from Hospet Bus Stand and many State Government buses plying between Hospet and Munirabad or Hospet and Ilkal would stop at Huligi cross. You can take an autorickshaw ride from Huligi cross to Huligi town.

There are a few small-time hotels and homestays available around the temple and on the road between Huligi Cross on National Highway 50 and the temple. However, for better experience, it would be prudent to stay in Hospet, there are many Hotels in Hospet catering to all strata of visitors.

Huligi is literally a hop-skip-and-jump away from Hampi – A UNESCO World Heritage Site. Considered as the largest open-air museum in India, Hampi is home to many monuments, temples and natural beauty.

Other tourist attractions include Tungabhadra Dam at Hospet, Anjanadri Hill – The Birthplace of Hanuman, The Dolmens of Hire Benkal – a prehistoric site, The Heritage town of Sandur and many more.