History Of Basara Sri Gnana Saraswathi Temple

This is an ancient temple of Goddess Shri Saraswathi. The temple at Basar is also the abode of Goddess Shri Lakshmi and Shri  Kali.The current structure dates back to the Chalukya period.
This temple has no exquisite carvings like other temples. The presiding deity, ‘Shri Gnana Saraswathi Devi’, is in a seated position with a ‘Veena’ in hand and bedecked with turmeric. Adjacent is the shrine of Goddess Shri Maha Lakshmi and a little distance away, on the eastern side is the Shri Maha Kali temple.
The history of the temple goes back to the times of ‘Mahabharatha’ which  is nearly  five thousand years old.  The Goddes Shri Saraswathi is known for initiation of Aksharabyasa (to start the education) and is also called as Shri Gnana  Saraswathi.  Shri Veda Vyasa after the epic war of ‘Maha Bharatha’ travelled to South from North.
Legend suggests that Maharishi 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 Maha Saraswathi, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Kali. The sage Veda Vyasa did so by bringing three handfuls of sand and sculpted out the figures. This place was initially named after Vyasa and was called “Vyasapuri”.  Later on it got the names Vasara and ultimately Basara or Basar.
It is noteworthy that there is a temple for sage Vyasa also here.  Mother Saraswathi in Basar temple is also praised as Vasara, Gaumarachala Vasini and Vidyadharini.  The pujas begin early in the morning with Rudrabisheka with Godavari river water, milk, curd, ghee, honey, turmeric and sandal in an elaborate manner with the chanting of Shri Sukta and Pancha Sukthas.  After the Alankara, dressing, arati is dedicated to mother as per rules.  Mantra pushpas (flowers used in the pooja) – and abishek water – theertha are offered to devotees as prasad.  All decorations to mother are done with turmeric only.  Only this turmeric is offered as prasad which devotees consider very sacred.  Students place this turmeric in their tongues to achieve distinction in education.  Those aspiring merits in arts consume this turmeric prasad.
The first pppja in the temple is dedicated to Lord Vinayaka followed with pooja to Lord Brahma,  the creator at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum.  Poojas to mothers Mahalakshmi and Makali are performed after poojas to the presiding deity  Gnana Saraswathi Devi.
On each Friday, mother Saraswathi is taken in procession within the prakaras of the temple on Annam (swan) Planquin.  Poojas during Navarathri are performed in a grand and elaborate manner as per orthodox rules. During these days, goddess Gnana Saraswathi is offered 64 upacharas (this may be called respectful etiquettes).  Chandi Homa is conducted on the Navami day –the 9th day.  The poojas on Vijayadasami, the last day of Navarathri festival  are performed with Mahabishekas, beautiful decorations(Sundara Alankara).  Mother Gnana Saraswathi is taken in procession on a palanquin through the parts of Basar Village.  The crowd  of devotees is very huge during the Navarathri festival.
The temple uses only new Saree each day for the Alankara of Mother Saraswathi Devi.  Realizing their wishes, devotees perform abishek to the goddess and offer new vastras.
About 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 monolithic rock called “Vedavathi”, which produces different sounds on each side when struck.  It is said to contain jewels of Sita Devi.