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Saundatti Yallamma Temple to Be Developed on Par with Tirupati and Dharmasthala: CM Siddaramaiah

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By uday

The Saundatti Yallamma temple in Belagavi district will undergo significant development, modeled after the renowned Tirupati-Tirumala Devasthanams (TTD) and Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala, announced Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during his visit to Saundatti on Sunday. He stated that officials would draft a comprehensive plan following a detailed study of the Tirupati-Tirumala model to transform Saundatti into a major pilgrimage center.

“We will improve road infrastructure in and around the temple town. Additionally, a large kitchen, dining hall, queue complex, and other essential facilities will be established,” said the Chief Minister. He further added that provisions will be made for devotees who prefer to cook their own meals by offering individual kitchens and fuel.

The Chief Minister emphasized that with 1,087 acres of land available for development, the temple could soon cater to around 7,000-8,000 pilgrims daily. He inaugurated a dormitory constructed at a cost of ₹22 crore, and a commercial complex developed by the Karnataka State Women’s Development Corporation, valued at ₹10 crore. He also announced the completion of various projects undertaken by the Public Works Department.

“The State government is dedicated to transforming Saundatti Yallamma Temple into a pilgrimage hub with modern amenities, but local community cooperation is vital for its success,” he said. He urged traders occupying unauthorized shops to vacate them for smoother traffic flow in the temple town, assuring that alternative shops would be provided on compassionate grounds.

Further, he revealed plans to construct a compound wall around the temple to prevent encroachments on temple property. He also acknowledged that the introduction of free bus travel for women has significantly increased the number of temple visitors. “Since the scheme’s launch, 300 crore women have benefitted across Karnataka, leading to a surge in pilgrim numbers at Saundatti,” he added.

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The temple currently attracts 1.5 to 2 crore visitors annually, primarily from Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. With an annual revenue of ₹25 crore and a deposit of ₹45 crore, the Chief Minister believes that the temple’s income can be further boosted through enhanced facilities.

“Providing shelter, maintaining hygienic conditions, and improving accessibility are our top priorities,” he stressed, explaining that the Karnataka State Tourism Development Board and the Temple Committee will collaborate to offer the necessary infrastructure.

Officials have proposed a new queue complex capable of sheltering 5,000-6,000 devotees at once, with seating arrangements, snacks, and drinking water. Additionally, the Ennegonda public bath will be upgraded, similar to the sacred baths of Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, where devotees can be blessed with holy water. Facilities for washing clothes will also be introduced.

Superintendent of Police Bheema Shankar Guled assured the Chief Minister of the introduction of an intranet-based walkie-talkie system to manage the large crowds expected during festivals.

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