Location: Nizamabad
Deity: Godess Saraswati. This is the only temple dedicated to the Goddess of learning.

Children are brought here for the ceremony of Akshara puja - to start their education with the blessings of the Goddess of Knowledge. This is one of the few temples in India said to have been installed by Sage Vyasa. The temple is mentioned with regard to Valmiki. The current structure dates back to the Chalukya period. The image of Laxmi is placed beside Saraswati. Other shrines in the temple include those of Mahakali, Papahareswar and Pathaleswar.

Festivals: Thousands bath in the river Godavari and seek the blessings of the Goddess during the Mahashivarathri, Dassera navratris and Vasantha panchami.

Legend: After the Mahabharata war, sage Vyasa embarked on a pilgrimage. He reached the Kumaranchala hills on the banks of Godavari. Here he meditated and the Goddess eventually appeared before him. The Goddess ordered the sage to place three handful of sand at three places everyday. These transformed into the idols - the divine trinity - Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Kali. Saraswati is the consort of Lord Brahma and 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.

Architecture: This is an ancient temple and the current structure dates back to the Chalukya period. There are no carvings. Entering the sanctum a feeling of peace takes over. The presiding deity, is in a seated position with a Veena in hand and bedecked with turmeric. Adjacent is the shrine of Goddess Maha Lakshmi and a little distance away, on the eastern side is the Maha Kali temple.

A 100metres from the temple is a cave, where Narahari Maluka is believed to have performed penance. There is a monolith rock called Vedavathi, which produces different sounds on each side when struck. It is said to contain jewels of Sita Devi. There are eight Pushkarnis in the entire village known as Indra Teeratham, Surya Teeratham, Vyasa Teeratham, Valmiki Teeratham, Vishnu Teeratham, Ganesha Teeratham, Puthra Teeratham and Shiva Teeratham.

Festivals: The important festivals celebrated are Mahashivratri (February-March) and Devi Navaratrulu (September-October).

Getting There
Air: Nearest airport is Hyderabad.
Train: Basara has a Rail railway station.
Road: State transport buses are available.