BASARA

The only one and unique of goddess Saraswathi in South India is located in Basad village on the left bank of river Godavari situated in Adilabad District of Telangana State. Many pilgrims come to Basara to perform the "Akshara abhyasam" ceremony for the children before they start formal school education. The children perform the exercise of letters, and devote books, pens, pencils notebooks to the goddess of knowledge. Sri Veda Vyasa after the epikc war of Maha Bharatha travelled to south from North. He reached Dhandakaranya Region and Performed Penance to please Goddess Saraswathi on the banks of holy river Godavari. Daily he used to wake up by Brahma Muhurtham and goes to holy Godavari for sacred bath and returns to his mediation place and engaged in his mediatiation till the sunset. There is a cave in this region where Veda Vyasa sit for penance it as entitled as “Kumarachala’. Due to the mediation performed by kumaraswami he used to pray bu following words for the Goddess Saraswathi Devi. Paramashanti Pradayini, Adrushyaroopini.Because of Veda Vyasa’s meditation this region called as Tapobhoomi. Here Sri veda vyasa rushi got darshan darshan and blessings of Goddess Saraswathi. In the passage of meditation period he got a dream, in that she ordered Veda Vyasa that every day before mediation he has to bring a feastful of sand from Godavari after sacred bath to this cave and keep it as three heaps. After some time from three heaps three deities appeared because of penance and meditation power of Saga Veda Vyas as Maha Saraswathi Devi, Maha Lakshmi Devi and Mahakali. These three deities Veda Vyasa Maharshi made prana prathista. As he stayed here for a long time this place was named ‘Vasara; in due course of time it became ‘Basara’.

The temple was built by Veda Vyasa Maharshi. During the period of 11th Century to 18th century the temple and idols of goddess are attmepted to destroy by Moghal Nawabs named Hanid Shahi, Kuthub Shahi, Barid Shahi. At that time on young man Sri Makkaji Patel who belongs to Veera Shaiva of Renukapuram has tried to protect the temple from the attacks made by the Nawabs with the help of gang of Youngstars belonging to Ravindrapuram, Mahathpuram, Ratnapuram, Vyasapuram under the leadership of Makkahi Patel the temple was protected from muslims invasions. Koneru is located on the east side of Main temple. It is also called Papaharini, PUshkarini in this koneru there are eight theerthas (Wells) in the eight directions. The koneru is having the same significance as Astha Theertha Pushkarini each teertha is having a great legend which enchance the importance of this place to make it a holy koneru, those theerthas are Indra Teertha, Surya Theertha, Vyasa Theertha, Valmiki Theertha, Vishnu Theertha, Ganesh Theertha, Puthra Theertha, Shiva Theertha. ‘Education is a permanent asset to receive or lead a rosy future of devinity’. So that pupils in large scale perform Aksharabyasam. It is believed that in the midst of the konery Saraswathi Theertha was located. Eight directions appeared even today. It was mentioned in Brahmanda Purana getting that if one bath in Koneru he/whe libarates from the various sins committed by them.

The Puja at the temple starts at 4 am in morning with Abhishekam which carries on for an hour. At early morning 5 o'clock they start the Alankarana whereby the new sarees are adorned to the goddesses. The whole atmosphere is very pious and pure. At 6 am, in the rays of the morning sun, the aarti starts at the temple after which the prasadam is given to the devotees. Special poojas and celebrations are held at the temple during Maha Shivaratri beginning 15 days before (Vasantha Panchami) and continuing 3 days after the festival. Devi Navarathrulu is celebrated for ten days during Dusshera. The temple also has a Mahankali idol situated on the 1st floor very near to the main temple. Devotees often go to the nearby mountain which has an Idol of Goddess Saraswati on the top of the rock. The image of Lakshmi stands besides the Goddess Saraswati in the sanctum sanctorum. Due to the presence of Saraswati, Lakshmi and Kali, Basara is considered as the abode of the divine trinity.

Temple Timings:

Special Sevas :

The following are the details of main festivals.

1. Vyasa Pournami (Ashada Shudda Pournami).

2. Dasara Navarathrulu(9 Days Ashveeja Shudda

Pratipada Dashimi).

3. Vasantha Panchami (Maga Shudda Panchami, Sri Saraswathi Devi Birth day).

4. Maha Shivarathri (Palguna Thrayodashi).

5. Vyasa Pournami (Ashada Shudda Pournami)

6. Maha Shivarathri (Palguna Thrayodashi)

Maha shivaratri is on Magh Bahula trayodashi generally falls in the month of February. Maha Shivratri Utsavam is perormed evry year at Basara Temple. For more details about the Maha Shivratri Utsavam at Basara Temple contact Basara Devasthanam.

Vasanta Panchami heralds the advent of spring. This festival marks the first day of spring.Vasantha means the spring. Magh-Shukla Panchami, which generally falls in the month of February is celebrated as Vasanth Panchami. The fields are mustard yellow with the ripening of crops. Yellow is a auspicious color - a color of spirituality.

Saraswathi is the consort of Lord Brahma and is the Goddess of Wisdom and Knowledge. She is the personification of knowledge - arts, science and crafts. She represents Shakti, creativity and inspiration and presents herself when the weather is complacent and Nature is in its full grandeur. It is a season of inspiration and passion.

The most significant aspect of this day is that Hindu children are taught reading and writing their first words on this day - as it is considered an auspicious day to begin a child's education. Educational institutions organize special prayers for Saraswati on this day. The great Indian guru Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya laid the foundations of the world-class academic institution, Kashi Hindu Vishwavidyalaya on Vasant Panchami.

Saintly people and people inclined towards spiritual progress attach great importance to the worship of goddess Saraswati. As a practice, only educated people and men of principle worship goddess Saraswati for spiritual enlightenment. In their opinion, there can be no comparison between the king and the learned or the spiritually advanced. They believe that the king is honoured within his kingdom, whereas the learned are respected or worshiped throughout the world.

Vyasa paurnima Utsavam is celebrated on Ashada Paurnima. As the legend of the temple says the Deity of the temple was esatablished by Veda Vyasa, hence Utasavam is performed in a large scale.

Dasara Navarathrulu(9 Days Ashveeja Shudda Pratipada Dashimi)

On Ashwayuja Shudda Dashami or popularly known as Dassera Navratri Utsavams are performed for Nine nights. Various poojas and are performed during these Nine days.

(Note: As the Lunar Calender days and Gregorian caleder dates do not coincider every year, Kindly consult panchanga for the exact dates of these festivals.)

Accommodation:

Basara temple has good accommodation facilities.

There is a large 100 room Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam (TTD) Guest House. Some rooms are available for Rs. 100 per day and some for Rs. 200.

Vemulawada Guest House - A/C - Rs. 1000

Rajanna Nilayam A/C - Rs. 1500

Babli Soma Guest House: A/C - Rs. 1200

Dwaraka Tirumala Guest House : A/C - Rs. 1000

Vijayawada Kanakadurga : A/C - Rs. 800

Sri Yadagirigutta Guest House : A/C - Rs. 800

Sri Srishala Mallikharjuna

Guest House: A/C - Rs. 800

How to Reach Basara Sri Gnana Saraswathi Temple :

Basara is about 210 km from Hyderabad and is well connected by Rail and Road. APSRTC runs frequent buses from Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Nizamabad and Warangal, The nearest airport is Hyderabad (145Km), Nanded (110Km). The nearest railway station is Basara.

Places to visit

Here is the list of places to visit near Basara apart from Sri Gnana Sarawathi Devi Temple.

1. Sri Mahankali Temple

2. Sri Dattatreya Temple

3. Sri Vyasa Maharshi Guha

4. Sri Vedavathi Shila ( Sri Vedavathi stone)

5. Godavari river

6. Lord Shiva temple at river Godavari bank

Contact :

Executive Officer

Sri Gnana Saraswathi Devasthanam,

Basara - Village: Mudhole - Mandal. Adilabad.

Pin - 504101, Telangana State, India.

Temple Phone Number:

(91) 08752 - 243503

Executive Officer (Office):

(91) 08752 - 243550