Navratri Temple Trip from Hubli: Saundatti Yellamma & Chandragutti Renukamba Temple
Introduction:-
Sharad Navratri 2026 begins with Ghatasthapana on Sunday, October 11 and runs nine nights through to Vijayadashami on October 20, nine nights dedicated to the Navadurga, the nine forms of the Divine Mother. If you are planning to visit a temple during Navratri from Hubli this year, there are two really good choices nearby, and both are devoted to the same goddess: Renuka, the mother of the sage Parashurama, who is worshiped as Yellamma in North Karnataka.
The closer option is the hilltop Yellamma Temple at Saundatti, just over an hour away from Hubli. Another is the cave shrine of Chandragutti Renukamba, tucked into a forested hill above Sirsi. Neither requires a detailed itinerary — this guide covers both so you can select the one that fits your Navratri plans, be it a single evening’s darshan or a more substantial day out.
Saundatti Yellamma Temple (Nearest Choice)
Distance from hubli to saundatti yellamma temple:- Hubli to Saundatti is just around 58 km, about 1.5 hours by road, making this the easiest of the two to fit in a single evening during the festival. The temple, built in 1514 by Bommappa Nayaka, is located on what was once known as Siddhachal Parvat, now called Yellammanna Gudda, and contains pillared halls and carved doorways in a mix of Chalukyan and later styles.
Yellamma is worshiped here as Renuka. Shakti devotees come here throughout the year. There are two very large gatherings on Banada Hunnime and Bharathi Hunnime. The Renuka Sagar Lake, which is formed by the Navilatirtha Dam on the Malaprabha river, is a peaceful stop near the temple if you have half an hour to spare after darshan. The 18th-century Saundatti Fort with its carved bastions is a short drive away for anyone who wants to extend the visit.
Chandragutti Renukamba Temple (More Scenic, Additional Option)
Hubli to Chandragutti Renukamba Temple Distance:- Hubli to Chandragutti is about 120-140 km via Sirsi and Siddapur and takes around 3 to 3.5 hours by road. This is less a quick stop and more a proper outing. The temple is a natural cave shrine set into a hillside in Soraba taluk and reached by a climb of some 250 stone steps. Once you’re up there are great views across the surrounding forest.
The legend here is the same Renuka story told differently – this is said to be the spot where Parashurama, on his father Jamadagni’s order, beheaded his mother Renuka, and where Jamadagni later restored her life. Near the base of the hill, there is a small Bhairava shrine. Gudavi Bird Sanctuary is an easy add-on, if you have the time and are headed in that direction, about 11-12 km away. Do check the opening hours of the temple before you set out, as the darshan windows here are shorter than in a large town temple like Saundatti.
Which one should you pick?
If you want a straightforward evening darshan without taking over most of your day, Saundatti is the easier call — close enough to not disrupt a Navratri weekday evening much. Chandragutti is the more rewarding trip if you want to make a full day of it, with a scenic drive, a proper climb, and a quieter, less commercial atmosphere at the shrine itself, though it does ask for an early start given the distance. Both are well worth seeing at some point; which one is suitable for this Navratri depends on how much of the day you can spare.
Useful Tips for the Trip
- Start early for Chandragutti — the 250-step climb is easier before the day heats up, and darshan hours there are shorter than at Saundatti.
- Carry water and comfortable footwear for either temple; both involve walking on stone steps.
- Check Chandragutti’s specific darshan timings before you leave, since the temple isn’t open all day the way a larger town temple is.
- If combining Saundatti with a longer trip, our Hubli to Gokak Falls guide already covers the same general direction and mentions Saundatti as a route stop.
- If Chandragutti is your pick, our Hubli to Sirsi guide covers the same road as far as Sirsi, so the two can be planned together if you’re short on separate trip days.
- Carry cash for offerings and prasada counters at both temples, which don’t always support digital payment.
Getting There Comfortably
Neither temple is well served by a fixed bus timetable that suits a festival-season darshan trip, and Chandragutti’s climb and shorter visiting hours make timing matter more than usual. Sagar Travels Hubli runs outstation cab service for pilgrimage trips like these, with a driver who can adjust the day around darshan timings rather than a fixed schedule, whichever of the two temples you choose. If family is visiting for Navratri and flying in, the same team also handles airport transfers.
Conclusion:-
Both Saundatti Yellamma and Chandragutti Renukamba worship the same goddess in different locations: one an easy-to-reach hilltop temple just over an hour away from Hubli, the other a less busy cave shrine that’s worth the longer drive. Either is a meaningful Navratri temple trip from Hubli this festival season. Pick the one that fits the time you have. Start early if Chandragutti.
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For bookings, vehicle options, or help planning your Navratri darshan trip, call or WhatsApp us on 7204573702, or reach Sagar Travels Hubli directly. You can also check reviews and location details on our Google Business Profile. For official visitor information, the Karnataka Tourism website is a reliable reference to check before you go.
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