Basara Sri Gnana Saraswathi Temple, Basara, Adilabad, Andhra Pradesh, India

The Goddess Saraswathi Devi is located in Basar Village on the left bank of river Godavari situated in Adilabad Dist. of A.P.is having Pouranik and historical importance. This is the only one and unique temple of Goddess Saraswathi in South India.

The history of the temple goes back to the times of ‘MAHABHARATHA’ which  is nearly  five thousand years old. The Goddes Saraswathi is known for initiation of  “ AKSHARABYASA” and is also called as Sri Gnana  Saraswathi. 

Basara Sri Gnana Saraswathi Temple History

Sri Veda Vyasa after the epic war of ‘Maha Bharatha’ traveled to south from North. He reached Dhandakaranya region and performed penace to please Goddess Saraswathi on the banks of holy river Godavari.

Daily he used to wake up by Brahma Muhurtha (early morning) and goes to holy Godavari  for sacred bath and returns to his meditation place and engaged in his  meditation till the sun set. There is a cave in this region where Veda Vyasa  sit for penance it as entitled as ‘KUMARACHALA’ Due to the  meditation performed by kumaraswamiji he used to pray by following words for the Goddes  Saraswathi

‘Paramashanthi Pradayini’  ‘ Adrushyaroopini’  Because of Veda Vyasa’s meditation  this region called as Tapobhoomi. Here Sri Veda Vyasa Rushi got 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  meditation 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 Vyasa as follows.

1. Maha  Saraswath,i  2. Maha Laxmi,  3. Maha Kali

For these three deities Veda Vyasa made Prana Prasthista. As he stayed here for a long time this place was named ‘VASARA’ in due course of time it became ‘ Baasar’.

The temple was built by Saga Veda Vyasa. During the period from 11^th century to 18^th century the temple and idols of goddess are attempted to destroy by Moghal Nawabs named Hanid Shahi, Kuthub Shahi, Barid Shahi. At that time one young man named 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 a gang of youngstars belonging to Ravindrapuram, Mahathpuram, Ratnapuram, Vyasapuram under the leadership of Makkaji Patel, the temple was protected from Muslims invasions.  

Abhishekam   Every day in early morning at the time of Brahma Muhurtham Rudrabhishekam has been performed at this time piligrims can see sand idol of Goddess Saraswathi.

Koneru It is located to the east side of the 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 theertha is having a great legend which enhance the importance of this place to make it a holy koneru, those theerthas are as follows

Indra Theertha, Surya Theertha, Vyasa Theertha, Valmiki Theertha, Vishnu Theertha, Ganesh Theertha, Puthra Theertha, Shiva Theertha

 LEGEND

According to the Hindu Mythology Saraswathi is the diety  of  education. In Hindu tradition every child before joining the school and most  of  the pupil seek the blessings of the Goddes  Saraswathi. “Education is a permanent asset to receive  or lead a rosy  future or devonity”. So that pupils in large scale perform Aksharabyasam.

“Education is a permanent asset to receive or lead a rosy future or devinity”. So that pupils in large scale perform Aksharabyasam.

It is believed that in the midst of the koneru Saraswathi Theertha was located. Eight directions appeared even today. It was mentioned in Brahmanda Purana getting that if one bath in Koneru he/she libarates from the various sins committed by him/her.

For the people, who observed  deeksha, Madhukaram (Bhiksha or seeking alm) is inevitable and certain Brahmin family members are ever ready to offer Bhiksha to such people.

Deeksha can be observed for seven days, eleven days, twenty one days or forty one days and even for more days. Goddess Saraswathi will appear in the dream of the  sadhaka (devotee) and shower her kindest blessings to him. It is a well known experience of many devotees hailing from many places. 

Fairs and festivals

The following are the details of periodical 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)   

Vyasa Pournami  (Ashada Shudda Pournami) 

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

Basara Sri Gnana Saraswathi Temple Seva, Timings & Visiting Hours

The day begins at the temple with "Suprbhatha Seva” ceremony at 4.00 am with Sannai Trupets Naubat etc. Abhishekam, Alankarana, Harathi will be performed at 4.30 to6.30 am.

Abhishekam		100-00
Kumkumarchana		20-00
Akshara Srikaram		50-00
Sri Sathyanarayana Swami Pooja		50-00
Spl Akshara Srikaram		500-00
Nithya Chandi Hamam		516-00
Upanayanam		50-00
Pallaki Seva		50-00
Vahana pooja		50-00 To 150
Shashvitha Bala Boga Prasadam		1001-00
Shashvitha Kumkumarchana		1016-00
Shashvitha Abhishekam		1116-00
Annadanam  Schemes
Shashwatha  Maha Raja Poshakulu		10116-00
Shashwatha Poshakulu		5116-00
Sadarana Poshakulu		1116-00
Visiting Hours
Suprbatha Seva				4.00am
Abhishekam	04.30		To	05.30
Alankarana, Harathi,	05.00		To	06.30
Theeratha Prasada Vitharana	06.30		To	07.30
Sarvadarshanam, Aksharabhyasam, Kunkumarchana	07.30		To	12.00
Rudra Havanam	12.00		To	12.15
Maha Nivedhana,Harathi	12.15		To	12.30
Temple Closed	01.00		To	02.00
Sarvadarshanam, Aksharabhyasam, Kunkumarchana	02.00		To	07.00
Pradoshakaala Puja, Harathi.	07.00		To	08.00
Sarvadarshanam	08.00		To	08.30
Harathi	08.30		To	08.30
Dwarabandhanam				08.30

Temple closed at 9.00pm

Accommodation

In Basara Excellent accommodation facilities are available.

Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Vemulawada. Guest house 3 Suits A/C each 500/-

T.T.D. Guest house 4 Suits each 200/-

T.T.D. 100 Rooms each 200/-

Choultries 10 Rooms each 100/-

Sri Venkateshwara Swamy, Dwaraka Thirumala Guest house, Sri Durga Malleshwara swamy Guest house, Vijayawada, Sri Laxmi Narsimha Swamy Guest house, Yadagiri gutta, Sri Bramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy vari Guest house, Sri Sailam available.

How to Distance Basara Sri Gnana Saraswathi Temple

Hyderabad	Basara	210 Km
Nizamabad	Basara	35 Km
Adilabad	Basara	150 Km
Warangal	Basara	298 Km
Nirmal	Basara	72 Km
Nanded	Basara	110 Km
Mumbai	Basara	800 Km

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. 

Contact

Executive Officer

Sri Gnana Saraswathi Devasthanam,
Basara - Village:  Mudhole - Mandal.
Adilabad. Pin - 504101,
Andhra Pradesh,
India.

Temple Phone Number: (91) 08752 - 243503
Executive Officer (Office): (91) 08752 - 243550

Surrounding Temples from Basara Sri Gnana Saraswathi Temple

1. Mahankali Temple

2. Vyasa Mandir

3. Vyasa Guha.

4. Vedavathi Shila

5. Dathathreya Temple

6. Shivalayam is situated at bank of Godavari River.

7. Kuntala Waterfalls Nearby Basara