Chandragutti Renukamba Temple

Chandragutti Renukamba Temple is an ancient cave temple dedicated to the goddess Renuka, in Shivamogga district, 19 km from Soraba and also 19 km from Sirsi and Siddapura in Uttara Kannada.

Legend makes Renuka the daughter of a king of Chandragutti, born from the fire of a yajna he held for peace and health. She married the sage Jamadagni and was said to carry water in pots of sand without spilling a drop, using snakes as pads. When she once erred, the angry sage ordered their son Parashurama to kill her. Parashurama led his mother into the cave, beheaded her, left her body there and carried her head to his father. Offered a boon in return, he asked for her life, and Renuka was restored. Devotees believe these events took place at Chandragutti.