Basara Saraswathi Temple – Goddess of Wisdom
Bordering the banks of River Godavari, 30 km from Nizamabad, Basara is a quaint little village in the Adilabad district. It attributes a major share of its adulation to the presence of the famous Gnana Saraswati temple.
The temple is a major attraction in the village not only for the local people but also for tourists who travel from far and wide to offer their prayers to its presiding deity. Basara Saraswathi Temple is one of the famous Temples in Telangana. Every year, tourists from all over India visit this Gnana Saraswati Temple of Basara. Basara Temple is one of the two Saraswathi Temples of India (The other temple is in Kashmir)
As the name suggests, the temple is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge. The temple also houses the idols of Goddess Lakhshmi and Kali. The story behind the origin of the temple has various versions. Some believe that it was built during the Chalukya period while others opine that Bijialudu a king of Karnataka who ruled Nanded area, built this beautiful Basar Saraswati Temple in 6th century.
Yet another school of thought believes that Maharishi Vyas (Maharshi Veda Vyasa), after the Kurukshetra, halted at this spot and laid the foundations of the temple by placing three heaps of sand representing the idols of the three Goddesses: Lakshmi, Saraswati and Kali. It is believed that Maharishi Vyasa made idols of the three Goddesses with that Sand and used Turmeric also. The presence of the marble image of the Maharishi along with his Samadhi indicates the validity of this theory of the temple’s origin. According to Brahmanda Purana, it is also believed that Maharsi Veda Vyasa completed writing of Mahabharata at this place.
Being the abode of the Goddess of learning, the temple assumes the role of becoming the preferred destination for Akshara Abhyasam. This is the ceremony which marks the commencement of formal education in a child’s life and is usually held on the auspicious occasion of Vasant Panchami which is held with great fanfare within the temple premises. On the first day of spring, children dressed in new clothes enter the temple precincts to practice writing the first alphabets in the presence of the Goddess of Wisdom and Knowledge. She blesses them with her auspicious presence to move on in their life’s journey to seek and attain more wisdom. Children offer the Mother Goddess flowers and dedicate their books, pens and pencils to seek her blessings.
Basara Saraswathi temple also becomes a riot of colors and is flooded with devotees during the other three festivals namely Vyasa Purnima, Maha Shivaratri and Dussera Navaratri. The Maha Shivaratri festival is held during the Magh Bahula Trayodashi. This is the ceremony which celebrates the greatness of the Lord Shiva. The temple premises are decked in flowers. Thousands of people all over Telangana and Maharastra states throng the temple to join in the celebrations.
The Vyasa Purnima festival is celebrated to commemorate the founder of the temple Sage Vyasa. It is held every year on Ashada Purnima and is a major event in the temple. The nine days of Navaratri hold equal importance in the temple. Devotees throng to the temple premises to join in the Navaratri festivities which commences on Ashwayuja Shudda Dashami.
The idol of Goddess Mahakali is located on the first floor of the Basar temple very close to the main temple. The presence of Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Saraswati and Goddess Kali has lent the temple a different mystic charm. Devotees often refer to the presence of this holy threesome as the Divine Trinity.
There are only two temples dedicated to Goddess Saraswati in India. The other temple can be found in Jammu & Kashmir. Consequently, the Basara temple receives considerable attention owing to its uniqueness.
Special Attractions of Basara Temple
– The idols of the Divine Trinity Goddess Kali, Goddess Saraswati and Goddess Lakshmi are a major attraction.
– The uniqueness of the temple lies in the fact that it is the only temple other than the one in Jammu and Kashmir which is dedicated to the worship of the Goddess of wisdom.
– The uniqueness of the temple lies in the fact that it is the only temple other than the one in Jammu and Kashmir which is dedicated to the worship of the Goddess of wisdom.
Basara Saraswathi Temple Timings:4 AM to 8:30 PM daily
Nearby by Tourist Attractions:
– Sri Mahankali Temple
– Sri Dattatreya Temple
– Sri Vyasa Maharshi Guha
– Sri Vedavathi Shila ( Sri Vedavathi stone)
– Godavari River
– Lord Shiva Temple at River Godavari bank
– Sri Dattatreya Temple
– Sri Vyasa Maharshi Guha
– Sri Vedavathi Shila ( Sri Vedavathi stone)
– Godavari River
– Lord Shiva Temple at River Godavari bank
Distance to Basara:
– Hyderabad to Basara Temple distance is 220 Kms
– Distance from Nizamabad to Basara is 32 Kms
– Distance from Warangal to Basara is 250 Kms
– Distance from Nizamabad to Basara is 32 Kms
– Distance from Warangal to Basara is 250 Kms
How to reach Basara:
– Basara is located at a distance of 220 km from Hyderabad. It is easily accessible by road, rail or even by air from Hyderabad.
– State run buses are available from Hyderabad to Basara.
– Hyderabad to Basara Bus timings are: every one hour starting from 4 AM to 11:10 Pm
– Basara to Hyderabad Bus Timings are: every one hour starting from 4:15 AM.
– Visitors can also take private taxis to reach Basara from Hyderabad.
– One can also reach Basara by train. SOme of the trains are Devagiri express, Krishna Express, Ajanta Express, etc
– Hyderabad to Basara Training Timings are:
– Kacheguda AK Exp: 7:30 AM from Kacheguda
– Devagiri Express: 01:35 PM from Secunderabad
– Ajanta Express: 06:10 PM from Secunderabad
– Krishna Express: 09:10 PM from Secunderabad
– State run buses are available from Hyderabad to Basara.
– Hyderabad to Basara Bus timings are: every one hour starting from 4 AM to 11:10 Pm
– Basara to Hyderabad Bus Timings are: every one hour starting from 4:15 AM.
– Visitors can also take private taxis to reach Basara from Hyderabad.
– One can also reach Basara by train. SOme of the trains are Devagiri express, Krishna Express, Ajanta Express, etc
– Hyderabad to Basara Training Timings are:
– Kacheguda AK Exp: 7:30 AM from Kacheguda
– Devagiri Express: 01:35 PM from Secunderabad
– Ajanta Express: 06:10 PM from Secunderabad
– Krishna Express: 09:10 PM from Secunderabad
Nearest Railway Station:
The Basara Railway station is located between the Secunderabad Junction and the Mudkhed Junction.
Accommodation in Basara:
– The Basara Saraswati Temple or the Sri Gnana Saraswati Temple as it is also called provides visitors with good facilities for accommodation.
– TTD Guest House is a popular place to stay that offers rooms for a charge of Rs.100-Rs.200 a day.
– Vemulavada Guest House, Saraswathi Sadan Guest House, Nilanghekar Guest House, Gourla Guest HOuse, Dharamshala Guest Houses, Rajanna Nilayam and Babli Soma Guest House are some of the known accommodations at Basara.
– The State Tourism Punnami Hotel is also a popular place to stay for visitors. In addition to these there are about 20 private lodging establishments which offer rooms for Rs.200 – Rs.700 (Ph: 08752-243691)
– TTD Guest House is a popular place to stay that offers rooms for a charge of Rs.100-Rs.200 a day.
– Vemulavada Guest House, Saraswathi Sadan Guest House, Nilanghekar Guest House, Gourla Guest HOuse, Dharamshala Guest Houses, Rajanna Nilayam and Babli Soma Guest House are some of the known accommodations at Basara.
– The State Tourism Punnami Hotel is also a popular place to stay for visitors. In addition to these there are about 20 private lodging establishments which offer rooms for Rs.200 – Rs.700 (Ph: 08752-243691)
Procedure to book Accommodation in Basara:
– To reserve the rooms, please write a letter to Executive officer along with a Demand Draft of Rs. 200 for Non-AC room and Rs. 500 for AC room, in favour of “Executive officer, Gnana Saraswathi Devi Devastahnam” payable at “State Bank of Hyderabad-Basar, Andhra Pradesh” Make sure to mention the date, time, duration of stay, number of people and number of rooms you want to reserve. Register post the letter to the following address:
The Executive Officer
Sri Gnana Saraswathi Devasthanam,
Basara – Village: Mudhole – Mandal.
Adilabad. Pin – 504101
Ph: 08752-243550
The Executive Officer
Sri Gnana Saraswathi Devasthanam,
Basara – Village: Mudhole – Mandal.
Adilabad. Pin – 504101
Ph: 08752-243550
Basara Temple Contact Numbers:
– Sri Gnana Saraswati Devasthanam: 08752-243503
– Executive Officer (Office): 08752-243550
– Executive Officer (Office): 08752-243550
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