Location:
30-km From Nizamabad, Adilabad District
Presiding Deity: Gnana Saraswati Devi
Unique Feature: One Of The Only Two Temples Dedicated To Saraswati
In India
Initially Named As: Vyasapuri
Basar
is a small and dusty village amidst the dry and barren patches of the
north Telangana region, 30-km from Nizamabad. Basar is situated on the
banks of River Godavari. It is located at a distance of about 220-km by
road and 260-km by rail from Hyderabad .
The Temples
There is an ancient temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. The temple at
Basar is also the abode of Goddess Lakshmi and Kali. The current
structure dates back to the Chalukya period.
A small muddy road leads to the temple. This temple has no exquisite
carvings like other temples. Walking ahead a few steps, one enters the
sanctum sanctorum - a feeling better experienced than described. A
feeling of peace, brightness and unlimited joy engulfs one. The
presiding deity, 'Gnana Saraswati Devi', 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.
The Legends
Local legends suggest that Maharshi Vyasa the author of Mahabharata came
to the forests of Dandakaryana to meditate. He began meditating on the
banks of the River Godavari and found the place to be very peaceful. The
divine mother is believed to have appeared before the sage and ordained
him to build temples for the Shakti trio: Maha Saraswati, Maha Lakshmi
and Maha Kali. The sage Veda Vyasa did so by bringing three handfuls of
sand and sculpts out the figures. This place was initially named after
Vyasa and was called "Vyasapuri". Later on it got corrupted to
Vasara and ultimately Basara / Basar.
The Eight Pushkarnis
Some 100m from the temple is the cave, where the devout 'Narahari Maluka'
is believed to have performed rigorous penance. There is a four-sided
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' spread across the village known as 'Indra
Teeratham', 'Surya Teeratham', 'Vyasa Teeratham', 'Valmiki Teeratham',
'Vishnu Teeratham', 'Ganesha Teeratham', 'Puthra Teeratham' and 'Shiva
Teeratham'.
FESTIVALS
The most important festivals celebrated are Maha Shivaratri
(February-March) and Devi Navaratrulu (Septmber-October) and on both the
occasions about 10,000 pilgrims visit the place from all parts of
Telengana and Marathwada.
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