Gnana Saraswati Temple

Basara Temple is situated 200 Kms from Hyderabad, AP. Sri Gnana Saraswathi temple at Basara on the banks of river Godavari is the only temple in South India dedicated to the Goddess of learning.

The legend has it that after the Mahabharata war, sage Veda Vyasa embarked on a pilgrimage in search of peace. He reached the serene Kumaranchala hills on the banks of river Godavari and meditated and propitiated the Goddess who eventually appeared before him and granted her presence in the form of the divine trinity.

The Goddess ordered the sage to place three handful of sand at three places everyday. Miraculously these sand dunes transformed into the idols of the divine trinity i.e., Saraswathi, Lakshmi, & Kali.

These are the presiding deities of Basar today. Despite the presence of the trinity,the temple is dedicated to Goddess Saraswathi.

Children are brought here for the ceremony of Akshara puja to start their education with the blessings of the Goddess of Knowledge.The Vedavathi Sila, the Ashtateertha are other places of interest around Basar. Thousands of devotees bath in the river Godavari & seek the blessings of the Goddess during the Mahashivarathri, Dassera navratris and Vasantha panchami.Four Utsavams are performed at Basara temple during the year.

Vasanta Panchami

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.

For more details about the Vasantha Panchami Utsavam at Basara Temple contact Basara Devasthanam.

Maha Shiv Ratri

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.

Vyasa Pournima

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.

For more details about the Vyasa Paurnima Utsavam at Basara Temple contact Basara Devasthanam.

Dassera Navratri

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.

Saraswathi Vandanam

Yaa Kundendu tushaara haaradhavalaa, Yaa shubhravastraavritha Yaa veenavara dandamanditakara, Yaa shwetha padmaasanaa, Yaa brahmaachyutha shankara prabhritibhir Devaisadaa Vanditha (poojitaa) Saa Maam Paatu Saraswatee Bhagavatee Nihshesha jaadyaapahaa

May that Goddess - Bhagavathi - the blessed Saraswathi presiding deity of learning and remover of our lethargy, laziness and ignorance, protect us. She is pure and white like the jasmine, the full moon and the garland like formation of dewdrops. She is dressed in a spotless robe. She has in her hand, the auspicious instrument veena. She is seated on a white lotus. She is the one who is always respected by Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, Shankara the annihilator and other Gods.

Saraswathi - Before Study

Saraswathi Namasthubyam, Varadey Kaamarupinee! Vidhyarambham Karishyami, Sidhir bhavathu mey sada !

Oh ! Goddess, Saraswathi, my humble prostrations unto Thee, who are the fulfiler of all my wishes. I start my studies with the request that thou will bestow Thy blessings on me

Saraswathi Shloka Gnanananda Mayam Devam Nirmala Spatika Kruthim Aadharam Sarva Vidyanam Hayagrivam Upasmahe

promise myself before Hayagriva, the Deva who is the personification of Jnana(knowledge) and Happiness(Ananda), who is very pure, and who is the basis of all learning.) The other important sloka is one to Goddess Saraswati, the God of learning.

Manikhya veenam upa laalayanthim, Madalasam manjula vag vilasam, Mahendra neela dyuthi komalangim, Mathanga kanyaam manasa smarami.

I meditate on the daughter of sage Matanga, Who plays on the jewel studded Veena, Who is most pretty and who speaks sweetest words, Who is worshiped by Indra , the king of devas, And who has perfectly pretty form.

An Insight Into the Spiritual Significance Of Gnana Saraswati Temple Basara

The Gnana Saraswati Temple is located in the census town of Basara in Adilabad district of the Indian state of Telangana. This temple dates back to the era of the Hindu religious epic Mahabharata. According to historical shreds of evidence, Bijialudu, a Kannada king of Nandagiri province in the sixth century, built this temple.

Cultural and religious significance

This temple is one of the two temples in India dedicated to the worship of Goddess Saraswati, the Hindu Goddess of knowledge and learning. This is the only Saraswati temple in Southern India. It has immense historical importance. The religious significance of this basara temple is also associated with the ritual of Akshara Abhyasam that has a great value among the devotees of Goddess Saraswati. Thousands of pilgrims from many parts of India throng the temple for this ritual. The remarkable feature of this ritual is that devotees bring their children, who are starting to read and write to seek the blessings of the Goddess of Learning.

The presiding deity

The great Hindu scholar and sage Ved Vyasa had worshipped the trinity of Goddesses Saraswati, Mahalakshmi and Mahakali here. Because of the penance performed by the sage, three deities emerged from heaps of earth. Hence, the temple has three presiding deities and Basara is considered as the abode of the trinity. However, the temple became a renowned pilgrimage for the reverence of Goddess Saraswati. Many devotees consider Gnana Saraswati as the main presiding deity.

The different idols

Three idols are worshipped in the temple, which are made of sand. Sage Ved Vyasa had made the idols from sand in the ancient times. Hence, devotees have carried the legacy forward through the centuries. The idols are relatively simple and not much big in size. Though, the idols went through significant changes across many centuries, the basic structure remains unchanged. The present idols were made during the rule of the Chalukyas. The idol of the Goddess is depicted as sitting on a swan with a veena in her hand.

Other deities worshipped

Besides, the worship of the primary deity Gnana Saraswati, the two other revered deities are Mahalakshmi and Mahakali. The temple does not have any other shrines. However, Lord Shiva is worshipped with immense devotion. Sage Ved Vyasa is also revered as a great scholar and sage.

Methods of worship

It is important to know the basara temple timings. Worship starts at 4 AM in the morning every day with performance of the ritual of Abhishekam, which takes an hour. After the conclusion of Abhishekam, the ritual of Alankara takes place. Alankara involves the adornment of sarees to the trinity of Goddesses. At around 6 AM, with the rays of the morning sun, the ritual of Aarti is performed. Once the Aarti gets over, Prasad, a devotional offering made to the Gods that consists of food items, is distributed among the devotees. The ambience fills up the entire vicinity with a devotional air and devotees offer obeisance to the Goddesses.

Occasions of religious significance

Apart from the regular worship of the trinity of the Goddesses, several other fairs and festivals take place in the temple. Vyasa Pournami, also known as Ashada Shudda Pournami is one of the major religious events that are celebrated in the temple. This celebration is an obeisance offered to sage Vyasa, the founder of the Gnana Saraswati Temple. Another important event is Dasara Navarathrulu or 9 Days Ashveeja Shudda Pratipada Dashimi. This event is also known as Dassera Navratri Utsavams.

The most important festival is perhaps Vasantha Panchami or Maga Shudda Panchami that is celebrated as the birthday of Goddess Saraswati. The occasion of Vasantha Panchami is also celebrated as the onset of spring. The ritual of Akshara Abhyasam takes place during this festival. Mahashivratri is also celebrated in temple every year with great pomp and zeal. Amusement fairs are also held.