Heritage · Faith · Tradition
About the Temple
Introduction
The Sri Yellamma Pochamma Devasthanam at Balkampet, near Ameerpet in the heart of Hyderabad, is one of the most visited Goddess temples of the city. The presiding deity, Sri Renuka Yellamma, is a Swayambhu (self-manifested) image that rests about ten feet below ground level, partly in water – which is why she is lovingly called Jala Durga. Her annual Kalyanotsavam in the month of Ashada is one of the biggest temple events of the twin cities.
Legend and History
The temple is believed to date back to around the 15th century. According to local tradition, farmers digging a well in their fields struck a rock bearing the naturally formed image of the Goddess. Every attempt to move the stone failed, so the villagers built the temple around it, leaving the Goddess where she had appeared. Even today, devotees descend to the sanctum to have darshan of the Goddess below ground level.
Yellamma is worshipped as a form of Renuka Devi, wife of the sage Jamadagni and mother of Lord Parashurama. In the folk tradition of the Deccan, after Renuka was struck down and later restored, her head came to be joined with another body, and she became Yellamma – "the mother of all".
The Sacred Water
Water rises continuously around the Goddess and from a well in the temple complex. Devotees regard it as sacred theertham; many believe it cures ailments, especially skin diseases, and carry it home in bottles to add to their bathing water. Tradition says that efforts to trace or divert the source of this water have never succeeded.
Shrines in the Temple
Along with Sri Yellamma, the complex has shrines of Sri Pochamma – which gives the temple its official name – and of Lord Ganesha, Sri Rajarajeswari Devi and the Naga Devatas.
Festivals
- Sri Yellamma Kalyanotsavam – the celestial wedding of the Goddess, held on the first Tuesday of Ashada masam (usually June–July). The Telangana government presents silk robes (pattu vastralu) to the Goddess, and lakhs of devotees attend; a chariot procession (Rathotsavam) follows the Kalyanam.
- Ashada Bonalu – during Hyderabad's Bonalu season (usually June–August), women carry decorated pots of bonam to the Goddess. The temple is known for receiving bonam offerings through day and night during the festival.
- Dasara / Devi Navaratri – nine nights of special alankarams and pujas for the Goddess (usually September–October).
- Weekly: Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays are the busiest days of the week.
Visitor Information
- Timings: usually about 6:00 AM – 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM; hours are extended during Bonalu and the Kalyanotsavam. Please check locally before visiting.
- Crowds: expect very long queues on the Kalyanotsavam day and on Bonalu Sundays; traffic around Balkampet is regulated on these days.
- Theertham: devotees usually bring a small bottle to take home the sacred water.
- Etiquette: traditional dress is recommended; remove footwear before entering.
How to Reach
- By Metro: Ameerpet Metro station (Red and Blue lines) is about 1.5 km away.
- By Train: Begumpet railway station is about 3 km away and Secunderabad station about 7.5 km; the nearest MMTS stations are Fatehnagar and Nature Cure Hospital.
- By Road: city buses and autos to Ameerpet and Balkampet run all day.
- By Air: Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Shamshabad (HYD), is about 31 km away by road.
Other Goddess Temples in Hyderabad
Devotees often combine their visit with Sri Ujjaini Mahakali Temple, Secunderabad (about 7 km), Sri Peddamma Talli Temple, Jubilee Hills (about 7 km), Sri Mahankali Temple, Gowliguda (about 10 km) and Sri Simhavahini Mahankali Temple, Lal Darwaza (about 14 km) – all centres of the Bonalu festival.