The Basara Temple of Devi Saraswati is one of the famous temples, not only in Telangana, in India too. Telangana is also known as land of temples.

1. Basara Temple
The Abode of Devi Saraswati
Since time innumerable, India and Hinduism have always been connected
by a special string. Especially the South Indian region carries the ancient
culture of India to the core. From Karnataka to Kerala, every state is
crowded with unique temples and their ancient whisperings. However,
amongst all these states, we should not forget to mention the ‘Land of
Temples’ or Telangana. The newly formed state, Telangana, is a home of
thousand of temples and The Basara Temple of Devi Saraswati is one of
the famous temples, not only in Telangana, in India too. Hinduism has
more than 33 crores God and Goddess mentioned in their holy book, but
very few temples have been named after our, Goddess of knowledge and
learning, Devi Saraswati. The Basara Temple of Telangana is one of the
two most famous temples of Devi Saraswati, the other being situated in
the State of Jammu and Kashmir. How well do you know about the
temple of knowledge and learning? Let’s judge your knowledge here!
Have a look.
BASARA TEMPLE LOCATION
Gnana Saraswati Temple or Basara Temple is one of the famous temples
of Telangana, situated by the river of Godavari, Basar, Adilabad. Basar is
a census town in the Nirmal district of Telangana. Basar is around 210 km
away from Hyderabad, so anyone can easily travel from Hyderabad to
Basar via bus or train.
HISTORY OF BASARA TEMPLE
Basara Temple is one of the unique temples of India, and thus a unique
mythological and historical fact is attached to it. In India, we can Ѐnd
many temples dedicated to Vishnu and Shiv, but Brahma’s temple is a rare
Ѐnd in here, so is Brahma’s wife’s, Saraswati. But the ‘Land of Temples’ or
Telangana has the Basara Temple dedicated to Devi Saraswati, and the
origin story of this temple has two faces. From the aspect of Myths and
local legends, it is said that this temple has been mentioned in our great
Epic Mahabharata. According to Mahabharata, after the scourge of the
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2. horrifying war, Kurukshetra, sage Vyasa, sage Vishwamitra and their
disciples decided to settle down in a calm and serene place. In search of
tranquillity, they came to Dandaka forest. Being pleased by the serenity of
the place, they selected this place as their peaceful adobe for prayers.
There was one cave in this region named ‘Kumarachala’ where sage Vyasa
used to sit for penance by praying to Goddess Saraswati. It is believed
that during the time of prayer, one-day sage Vyasa got ‘darshan’ and the
blessings of Goddess Saraswati, where the Goddess ordered the sage to
bring three Ѐstfuls of sand from the River Godavari after holy bath and
place that heaps of sand in three division in the cave. Afterwards, these
three piles of sands became deities of Maha Kali, Maha Saraswati and
Maha Laxmi by the power of sage Vyasa. After the name of sage Vyasa,
this place became Vyasara which turned into ‘Basara’ under the inퟀ�uence
of the Marathi language.
However, history says something else. According to concrete historical
facts, the Gnana Saraswati Temple of Basara was built by the King
Bijiyaludu by the time of 11th century. However, during 12th to 18th
century, this temple was being targeted by the Muslim invaders. At that
time, one young man named Sri Makaji Patel protected this temple from
the attacks of Muslim invaders and Nawabs with the help of
Ravindrapuram, Mahathpuram and Vyasapuram. Apart from this temple,
other two temples were also built on the meeting point of River Majira
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3. and Godavari.
IMPORTANCE OF THE BASARA TEMPLE IN HINDUISM–FESTIVALS
AND MORE
Apart from a fascinating history and myth, the Basara Temple holds lots
of importance in the lives of every Hindu. Along with festivals, many
special religious acts are also being done in this temple. Let us have a
look.
Religious Acts
1. AKSHARABHYASAM
Goddess Saraswati is known to be the symbol of Knowledge and skill.
For this purpose, lots of people from the different region come to this
place to perform the sacred religious act named Aksharabhyasam. This
act is performed when a child is about to start his educational career.
2. PENANCE
It was mentioned in the Brahmanda Purana that, by getting a holy bath in
the Koneru of this Saraswati Theertha, one can liberates his/her sins
committed in their lifetime.
3. DEEKSHA
The members of Brahmin family observe Deeksha and Madhukaram in
this Basara Temple. Deeksha can be kept for seven days, eleven days,
twenty-one days, forty-one days or even more. It is believed that at the
end of such Deeksha, Goddess Saraswati will appear in the dream of the
devotee and will shower him with blessings.
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4.
Festivals
1. VYASA POURNIMA– As it is believed that the temple was established
by sage Vyasa, Vyasa Purnima festival is celebrated every year on Ashada
Purnima.
2. DASARA NAVARATHRULU– On Dassera Navaratri, this festival is
celebrated each year for nine days. Various Pujas and religious acts are
being done in these nine days for the purpose of the festival.
3. MAHA SHIVARATRI– On Magh Bahula Triyodoshi, Maha Shivaratri
festival is celebrated each year in the month of February.
4. VASANTHA PANCHAMI– Being a temple of Goddess Saraswati, the
festival of Vasantha Panchami is celebrated each year on Magh Shukla.
This festival embarks the advent of the season spring. On this day, the
religious act of Aksharabhyasam is being done in this Basara Temple.
A rare Ѐnding on the land of Hinduism, Basara Temple holds
indescribable importance in the lives of many people. From the times of
Mahabharata to the modern times, the Gnana Saraswati Temple of Basara
has gone through a lot, yet this beautiful, magical temple does not fail to
inspire the lives of the people each and every day!
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