From Telugupedia

Saraswathi

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.

[edit] Saraswathi Vandanam

Basara Saraswati Temple

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.

[edit] Saraswathi - Before Study

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

Oh ! Goddess, Saraswathi, my humble prostrations unto Thee, who are the fulfiller 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 worshipped by Indra , the king of devas, And who has perfectly pretty form.

Saraswathi Mahabhage
Vidye Kamala lochane
Vidhya roope vishaalakshi
Vidyam dehi namosthuthe

[edit] Contact

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

Devasthanam Phone number (91) 08752 - 243503
Executive Officer (Office)(91) 08752 - 243550
E.O (Home)(91) 08752 - 243903

Source: www.basaratemple.org Basara Temple Devasthanams, (Fair use under Educational & non-commercial purpose.)

[edit] See Also

• List of Hindu temples
• Telugu Festivals
• Hinduism
• History of Hinduism
• Hindu Gods
• Hindu Goddesses
• Hindu Deities
• List of Hindu Deities
• List of Hindu Gurus and Saints
• List of Teachers of Vedanta
• Hindu Texts
• Hindu temples in Andhra Pradesh
• Spiritual Books
• Culture of Andhra Pradesh

[edit] External Links

• Gnana Saraswathi Temple Saraswathi temple at Basara

• Gnana Saraswathi Temple Sri Gnana Saraswathi temple at Basara
• Utsavams Utsavams at Basara Temple
• Saraswathi Pooja Basara Saraswathi Devi Pooja
• How to Reach Basara By Air, Train and Road
• Do's and Don'ts
• Articles on Devi The Devine Posture of Goddess Saraswathi
• Accomodation Basara temple has good accomodation facilities.
• Sevas List of Sevas and the prices