Among the three and a half Shakti Peethas (sacred seats of the Goddess) in Maharashtra, one is that of Goddess Renuka at Mahur. This Renuka is also known as Yellamma, Yellavva, or Ekvira. Though she is widely recognized as the mother of Parashurama and the wife of Sage Jamadagni, she is primarily revered and worshipped as a powerful Goddess (Devi). Moreover, she is regarded as a complete and independent Shakti Peetha, signifying her divine supremacy.
The story of Renuka Devi is, however, quite enigmatic — for she is a wandering or itinerant goddess, worshipped throughout both northern and southern India. Many regions claim that the goddess manifested and lived her divine story there, but such regional variations are symbolic rather than literal.
According to the researcher Chaphekar, the association between Renuka, the daughter of King Renuraaja, and Renuka, the mother of Parashurama, was likely established later in mythological traditions. Therefore, the story of Renuka must be examined with this perspective in mind.
Regarding the connection between Renuka, Yellamma, and Ekvira, Dr. Madan Kulkarni has presented highly original and foundational research in his book “Devdasi: Yellammachya Jogtini” (Devadasis: The Servants of Yellamma) as well as in an article published in 2008.
His findings provide deep insights into the cultural, spiritual, and social evolution of this goddess and her devotional cult, and the following discussion presents his views exactly as they were stated.