Basar - A Rare Temple of Goddess Saraswathi

In our country we find very few temples of Goddess Saraswathi which are of very ancient origin. Out of two such famous temples dedicated to Goddess Saraswathi one which can be easily accessed is in the Adilabad district of Andhra Pradesh in a prominent place called Basar. Situated on the Banks of holy river Godavari, Goddess at Basar is known as Gnana Saraswathi the one who bestows knowledge. It is the only ancient temple in the entire South India that is dedicated to the Goddess of Learning Sri Saraswathi.

(Gnaana Saraswathi - Basar)

Legend behind the Temple...

As per sthala purana (local legend) it is said that Sage Sri Veda Vyasa of Mahabharata fame, after the Kurukshetra war went on a pilgrimage as a part of his spiritual pursuit. During the course of his pilgrimage he reached Basar situated on the banks of the holy river Godavari in Dandakaranya. He found this place to be very peaceful and serene for his penance and started meditating. It is believed that the Divine Mother appeared before him and ordained him to install the idols of Shakthi trio (Maha Saraswathi, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Kali) at this place. Accordingly Sage Sri Veda Vyasa did so by bringing three handful of sand from the river bed and started worshiping the Divine Mother. Miraculously these sand heaps got transformed into Shakthi Trio forming three idols of Goddess Lakshmi, Saraswathi and Kali. Due to the involvement of Sage Sri Vedavyasa who stayed at this place thenceforth it came to be known initially as Vyaasapuri which in course of time became Vasara and ultimately as Basara or Basar.

Though it is a Kshethra of Shakthi trio it became popular as a Saraswathi Kshethra dedicated to Goddess Saraswathi known here as Gnaana Saraswathi. Here, Goddess Saraswathi the presiding deity is depicted in a seated position holding Veena, her instrument in two hands and the sand idol bedecked with turmeric. Adjacent we find the shrine of Maha Lakshmi and Maha Kali at a little distance.

Temple Timings...

Temple remains open from morning 4.00 am to night 8.30 pm. In between it is closed during afternoon from 12.30 pm to 2.00 pm.

Aksharabhyasam at Basar Temple

The temple of Gnaana Saraswathi at Basar is famous for a ritual known as Aksharabhyasam; formal induction of a child into education. Many people bring their children to this temple especially on Vasantha Panchami day and induct them into Aksharabhyasa with the strong belief that they would prosper well in their education and learning.

Festivals at Basar

Special celebrations are held at this Saraswathi temple on the occasion of Vasantha Panchami, Shivarathri that falls during the months of January-February and on the occasion of Devi Navarathri festival, Dussera during September-October. Thousands of pilgrims take bath in the holy river Godavari and seek the blessings of Gnana Saraswathi on these occasions.

How to Reach Basar?

Though the temple is located in Adilabad District, it is nearer to Nizamabad town in the Northern Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh. The place Basar is well connected by rail and road.  By Road Nizamabad is connected to NH-7. APSRTC runs number of buses to Basar connecting major towns and cities of Andhra Pradesh. By road it is 210 km from Hyderabad, 55 km from Nizamabad and 70 km from Nirmal. Basar is also on the rail map of India situated on the Hyderabad – Manmad section of South Central Railway at a distance of about 30 km from Nizamabad. Nanded in Maharastra is 80 km from Basar. All trains passing in this route stop at Basar station. Nearest airport is Hyderabad an international airport about 210 km from Basar.

Stay and Accommodation

For a days visit there may be no need for a stay and accommodation. One can return by night to the nearest town of Nizamabad or Hyderabad city. For those who would like to stay overnight there are number of Hotels and Guest houses including that of TTD’s, providing accommodation to pilgrims at reasonable cost.

For more details...

Executive Officer,
Sri Gnana Saraswathi Devasthanam,
Basara - Village: Mudhole Mandal,
Adilabad (Dt.), Pin - 504101,
Andhra Pradesh, India

Tele: (91) 08752-243503
Executive Officer: (91) 08752-243550

Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu

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