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Gnana Saraswati Temple, Basara, telangana i.ytimg.com |
The Gnana Saraswati Temple, situated on the banks of the Godavari River in Basara, Telangana, is one of the two most revered temples dedicated to Saraswati, the Hindu Goddess of knowledge and learning. The other significant Saraswati shrine is the Sharada Peeth in present-day Pakistan. Basara is especially famous for the Akshara Abyasam ceremony, a ritual where children are initiated into the world of education by writing their first letters in the presence of their parents and family members.
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Historically, the temple is attributed to Bijialudu, a Karnataka king who ruled over the Nandagiri province in the 6th century CE, with Nanded as his capital. The original temple was damaged during Muslim invasions but was restored in the 17th century by a local chieftain of Nanded. It is also believed that the temple is one of three ancient shrines near the confluence of the Manjira and Godavari rivers.
Temple Rituals and Celebrations
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The daily worship at the temple starts at 4 AM with the Abhishekam (ritual bath of the deity), followed by Alankarana (adorning the deity with new sarees), and the Aarti at 6 AM. Devotees are given prasadam after the morning rituals. The temple also celebrates major festivals like Maha Shivaratri, Vasantha Panchami, and Devi Navarathrulu during Dasara, drawing large crowds of pilgrims.
The Divine Trinity
The temple is home to the images of Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Kali, making it a sacred site for worshipping this divine trinity. A Mahakali idol is located on the temple's first floor, and many devotees also visit a nearby hill where a statue of Saraswati is placed atop a rock.
Accessibility
Basara is about 210 kilometers from Hyderabad and is well connected by TSRTC and MSRTC buses. The nearest railway station is Basar (BSX), just 2.4 kilometers from the temple, making it easily accessible for pilgrims.
https://basaratemple.telangana.gov.in
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnana_Saraswati_Temple
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