The Gnana Saraswati Temple ( also known as Sri Gnana Saraswathi Devasthanam ) , located in Basar Village on the left bank of the Godavari in Adilabad District of Telangana, is of Pouranik and historical significance.
This is the only temple dedicated to Goddess Gnana Saraswati in South India.
Gnana Saraswati Temple Basar History
The temple’s history dates back to the ‘MAHABHARATHA’ period, which is over five thousand years old.
The Goddess Saraswathi is famed for initiating “AKSHARABYASA” and is also known as Sri Gnana Saraswati.
According to legend, following the Kurukshetra War, Maharishi Vyas and his pupils, as well as the sage Viswamitra, opted to settle down in a calm and tranquil environment.
In his search for a calm haven, he came to Dandaka woodland and, impressed by the area’s tranquillity, chose it.
Because Maharishi Vyasa spent so much time praying, the area was dubbed “Vasara” and later Basara .
This temple is also thought to be one of three built around the confluence of the Manjira and Godavari rivers.
Historically, the temple in Basara was built by ‘Bijialudu,’ a Karnataka king who ruled the province of Nandagiri with Nanded as his capital in the sixth century.
Saraswati is the diety of education, according to Hindu mythology.
In Hindu tradition, every child and the majority of students seek the blessings of the Goddess Saraswati before beginning school.
“Education is a permanent asset for receiving or leading a bright future.” As a result, Aksharabyasam is performed by a huge number of students.
Sri Gnana Saraswathi Devasthanam Temple Basar Address
VXG4+XJ5, Basara Mandal, Nirmal District, Temple Rd, Basar, Telangana 504101
Phone: 087522 55550
How to reach Sri Gnana Saraswathi Devasthanam
Basara Temple Google Maps :Link: https://goo.gl/maps/5o7UmhQZUGYRvnRQ8
- The temple is around 210 kilometers (via road) from the nearest city Hyderabad.
- The temple is well connected by district buses, run by TSRTC.
- MSRTC buses also run from Hyderabad, Nanded etc.
- The nearest railway station to the temple is Basar Railway Station, located about 2.4 km away.
So majority of pilgrims visit Gnana Saraswati Temple Basar to undertake the “Akshara abhyasam” rite for children before they begin formal schooling.
The children practise letter formation and dedicate books, pens, pencils and notebooks to the goddess of wisdom.
The Puja at the temple begins at 4 a.m. with Abhishekam and lasts for an hour.
At 5 a.m., they begin the Alankarana, in which the fresh sarees are ornamented to the goddesses.
The entire mood is holy and pure. At 6 a.m., the aarti begins at the temple, followed by the distribution of prasadam to the devotees.
During Maha Shivaratri, the temple holds special poojas and celebrations that begin 15 days before (Vasantha Panchami) and last three days following the event.
During Dasara, Devi Navarathrulu is celebrated for ten days.
The temple also features a Mahakali idol on the first level, next to the main temple. Devotees frequently visit the neighbouring mountain, which has an Idol of Goddess Saraswati atop it.
In the sanctum sanctorum, an image of Lakshmi stands alongside the Goddess Saraswati. Basara is regarded the residence of the divine trinity due to the presence of Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Kali.
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