Basar Saraswati Temple is situated in a village called Basar, Nizamabad. Basar is a village on the banks of Godavari River. It is a census town of Adilabad district in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. The village is about 50 kilometers from Nizamabad. The temple is among the two famous Saraswati temples in India. It is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge and Learning. A number of legends are associated with the Saraswati Temple, Basar.
Legends state that after the Mahabharata war, Maharishi Vyasa and his disciples embarked on a pilgrimage. He decided to settle down in a cool and serene atmosphere. He reached the Kumaranchala hills on the banks of Godavari. Here he meditated by preparing three small heaps as images of Saraswati, Lakshmi and Kali with his mystic power. It is said that, Saraswati appeared before him and granted blessings. Saraswati is the consort of Lord Brahma and the Goddess of Wisdom and Knowledge. However, Brahmanda Purana is completely of a different view. It is believed that the poet Valmiki installed Saraswati and wrote Ramayana here. There is a marble image of Valmiki and his Sam?dhi near the temple. Other legends related to the Basar Saraswati Temple reflect the belief that this temple is one of the three temples constructed near the confluence of the Manjira and Godavari rivers by Ashtrakutas. Historical lore proceeds with the view that, a king of Karnataka, Bijialudu ruled the province of Nandagiri with Nanded as his capital in the sixth century. He was the person to have constructed the temple at Basara.
Various myths about the Basar Saraswati Temple had made it a popular holy place. In addition to that this ancient temple is also renowned for its beautiful architecture. The structural designs of the temple dates back to the Chalukya period. The unique feature of the temple is that there are no carvings. The presiding deity is in a seated position with a Veena in hand and bedecked with turmeric. The temple is also an abode of Goddess Maha Lakshmi, Maha Kali, Papahareswar and Pathaleswar.
Basar Saraswati Temple is a place of adoration of Goddess Saraswati. The festivals celebrated in the temple are in reverence to the goddess of learning. During the Mahashivarathri, Dussehra navratris and Vasanta Panchami festivals a popular custom in the temple is bathe in the Godavari River and seek the blessings of the Goddess. Furthermore, children are brought to the temple before the beginning of their formal education to a learning ceremony called Akshara abyasam. The important festival celebrated is Devi Navaratrulu.
The temple in Basara is an easy place to visit from Hyderabad. The village is well connected through road and rail routes. The Basar Saraswati Temple can be reached by airways as the nearest airport is Hyderabad. Once reaching Hyderabad, one can travel by bus or private taxi. Basara has a railway station and one can reach the village by Secuderabad junction and Mudkhed Junction. Road can also be another way to get to the village. Andhra Pradesh Road Transport Buses are available from Hyderabad, Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station and from Jubilee Bus Station, Secunderabad. Buses are frequently available every half-hour. It is about 201 kilometers from Hyderabad-Basara, Nizamabad-Basar is 40 kilometers and Nirmal-Basara is not more than 70 kilometers.
Basar is a place which offers accommodation at various rates. Basar Saraswati Temple also has its own accommodation arrangements which can be reserved by writing a letter to the temple authority. In addition to that a Demand Draft enclosed with the amounts of AC or Non AC rooms according to one`s choice should also reach the Gnana Saraswathi Devi Devastahnam. The village also has residing places that include Yatri Nivas Deluxe cottages, Nilangekar Guest House, TTD Guest House, Gourilla Guest House, Sharada Lodge and various other Choultries are available at Basara.
