Gnana Saraswati Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati located on the banks of Godavari River at Basar, Telangana, India. It is one of the two famous Saraswati temples in the Indian subcontinent, the other being Sharada Peeth. Saraswati is the Hindu Goddess of knowledge and learning. Children are brought to the temple for the learning ceremony called as Akshara abyasam. Basar is a census town in the Nirmal district in the state of Telangana. It is about 30 km from Bhainsa, 15.5 km from Dharmabad, 34.8 km from Nizamabad, 96.0 km from Nanded, 70 km from district headquarters Nirmal, and 205 km from Hyderabad.
History of the Gnana Saraswati Temple
According to Mahabharatha, Maharishi Vyas and his disciples and sage Viswamitra decided to settle down in a cool and serene atmosphere after the Kurukshetra War. In the quest for a peaceful abode, he came to Dandaka forest and, pleased with serenity of the region, selected this place. Since Maharishi Vyasa spent considerable time in prayers, the place was then called “Vasara” and turned into Basara due to the influence of the Marathi language in this region.
It is also believed that this temple is one of the three temples constructed near the confluence of the Manjira and Godavari rivers.
Historically, ‘Bijialudu’ a Karnataka king, who ruled the province of Nandagiri with Nanded as his capital in the sixth century, constructed the temple at Basara. In the 17th century, the idols of the temple were reinstated by a chieftain of Nandagiri (Nanded) subsequent to destruction caused by Muslim invaders.
Gnana Saraswati Temple timings
The temple opens in the morning from 04:00 AM to 01:00 PM and in the afternoon 02:00 PM to 08:30 PM.
Gnana Saraswati Temple Pooja Timings
The temple performs Abhishekam, Alankarana, Harathi, Prasadam in the morning 04:00 AM to 7:30 AM. Archana and Sarva Darshan and other poojas are performed from 7:30 AM to 12:00 Noon and 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Devasthanam Pradosha Pooja at 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM. Maha Harathi, Darshanam and Prasadam at 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
Gnana Saraswati Temple Festivals
The major festivals celebrated in this temple are
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).
5. Vyasa Pournami (Ashada Shudda Pournami)
6. Maha Shivarathri (Palguna Thrayodashi)
How to Reach the Gnana Saraswati Temple
By Air
The Nearest Airport to the temple is Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (Hyderabad Airport) about 257kms away.
By Rail
Nearest Railway Station Basara is about 2 kms away to the temple.
By Bus
The buses are available from headquarters Nirmal, Hyderabad and other towns.
