BASARA

HISTORY :

Sri Veda Vyasa after the epic war of 'Maha Bharatha' traveled to south from North. He reached Dhandakaranya region and performed penace to please Goddess Saraswathi on the banks of holy river Godavari.

Daily he used to wakeup by Brahma Muhurtha (early morning) and goes to holy Godavari for sacred bath and returns to his meditation place and engaged in his meditation till the sun set. There is a cave in this region where Veda Vyasa sit for penance it as entitled as 'KUMARACHALA' Due to the meditation performed by kumaraswamiji he used to pray by following words for the Goddes Saraswathi

'Paramashanthi Pradayini' ' Adrushyaroopini' Because of Veda Vyasa's meditation this region called as Tapobhoomi. Here Sri Veda Vyasa Rushi got darshan and blessings of Goddess Saraswathi. 

In the passage of meditation period he got a dream, in that she ordered Veda Vyasa that every day before meditation he has to bring a feastful of sand from Godavari after sacred bath to this cave and keep it as three heaps. After some time from three heaps three deities appeared because of penance and meditation power of Saga Veda Vyasa as follows.

1. Maha Saraswathi

2. Maha Laxmi

3. Maha Kali

For these three deities Veda Vyasa made Prana Prasthista. As he stayed here for a long time this place was named ' VASARA' in due course of time it became ' Baasar'.

The temple was built by Saga Veda Vyasa. During the period from 11th century to 18th century the temple and idols of goddess are attempted to destroy by Moghal Nawabs named Hanid Shahi, Kuthub Shahi, Barid Shahi. At that time one young man named Sri Makkaji Patel who belongs to Veera Shaiva of Renukapuram has tried to protect the temple from the attacks made by the Nawabs with the help of a gang of youngstars belonging to Ravindrapuram, Mahathpuram, Ratnapuram, Vyasapuram under the leadership of Makkaji Patel, the temple was protected from Muslims invasions.

Basar is a village with wonderful gardens surrounded by the temple premises 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 190-km by rail from Hyderabad.

The Temples

This is an ancient temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswathi. The temple at Basar is also the abode of Goddess Lakshmi and Kali. The current structure dates back to the Chalukya period.

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 Saraswathi 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 Legend

Legend suggest that Maharshi Veda 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 Saraswathi, 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 took names Vasara and ultimately Basara/Basar.

The Eight Pushkarnis

Some 100m from the temple there 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 Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Now a days there is heavy rush of pilgrims coming to Basara to perform "Akshara Abhyasam" for the children. According to the legend Maharishi vyasa and his disciples and sage Suka decided to settle down in a cool and serene atmosphere after the kurukshetra war. In the quest for the peaceful abode, he came to Dandaka forest and pleased with serenity of the region selected this place. After his ablutions in the river Godavari Maharishi Vyasa used to bring three fistful of sand and place it in three small heaps and made images Sarada, Laxmi, Gowri with his mystic power and later conducted prayers. This idol made of sand has its face smeared with turmeric. Eating a little bit of this turmeric paste, it is believed, will enhance one's wisdom and knowledge. Many people, in fact, take their kids to Basara for "Akshara Abhyasam" before commencing formal school education. Special poojas and celebrations are held at the temple during Maha Sivarathri, beginning 15 days before (Vasantha Panchami) and continuing 3 days after the festival. Devi Navarathrulu is celebrated for ten days during Dasara. 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 the region.

Four Utsavams are performed at Basara temple during the year.

Vasanta Panchami 

Vasanta Panchami heralds the advent of spring. This festival marks the first day of spring.Vasantha means the spring. Magh-Shukla Panchami, which generally falls in the month of February is celebrated as Vasanth Panchami. The fields are mustard yellow with the ripening of crops. Yellow is a auspicious color - a color of spirituality. 

Saraswathi is the consort of Lord Brahma and is the Goddess of Wisdom and Knowledge. She is the personification of knowledge - arts, science and crafts. She represents Shakti, creativity and inspiration and presents herself when the weather is complacent and Nature is in its full grandeur.
It is a season of inspiration and passion.

The most significant aspect of this day is that Hindu children are taught reading and writing their first words on this day - as it is considered an auspicious day to begin a child's education. Educational institutions organize special prayers for Saraswati on this day. The great Indian guru Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya laid the foundations of the world-class academic institution, Kashi Hindu Vishwavidyalaya on Vasant Panchami.

Saintly people and people inclined towards spiritual progress attach great importance to the worship of goddess Saraswati. As a practice, only educated people and men of principle worship goddess Saraswati for spiritual enlightenment. In their opinion, there can be no comparison between the king and the learned or the spiritually advanced. They believe that the king is honoured within his kingdom, whereas the learned are respected or worshiped throughout the world.

For more details about the Vasantha Panchami Utsavam at Basara Temple contact Basara Devasthanam.

Maha Shiv Ratri

Maha shivaratri is on Magh Bahula trayodashi generally falls in the month of February. Maha Shivratri Utsavam is perormed evry year at Basara Temple.

For more details about the Maha Shivratri Utsavam at Basara Temple contact BasaraDevasthanam.

Vyasa Pournima

Vyasa paurnima Utsavam is celebrated on Ashada Paurnima. As the legend of the temple says the Deity of the temple was esatablished by Veda Vyasa, hence Utasavam is performed in a large scale.

For more details about the Vyasa Paurnima Utsavam at Basara Temple contact BasaraDevasthanam.

Dassera Navratri

On Ashwayuja Shudda Dashami or popularly known as Dassera Navratri Utsavams are performed for Nine nights. Various poojas and are performed during these Nine days.

For more details about the Vyasa Paurnima Utsavam at Basara Temple contact BasaraDevasthanam.

(Note: As the Lunar Calender days and Gregorian calender dates do not coincide every year, Kindly consult panchanga for the exact dates of these festivals. For Telugu calender Please click here and for general panchanga in English click here).