What is the Story of Basara Sri Gnana Saraswati Devi Temple?

Bharatvarsha is a beautiful landscape with interesting mythology stories, epic sagas, and myths that have the power to entice and make you believe in their narration. Every corner of it is filled with unique and never-before-heard storytelling. One such legend is here to revive itself through a Vedic Story and that is about the Basara Sri Gnana Saraswati Devi Temple.

Let’s unfold the mystery of Sri Gnana Saraswathi Devasthanam!

What is the History of the Basara Sri Gnana Saraswati Devi Temple?

Sri Gnana Saraswati Devi Shrine is the oldest Saraswati temple in India. It is situated in Telengana’s serene village, Basara. Saraswati Shrine is clustered with flowers and greenery. It rests on the banks of the River Godavari. This ancient temple is the abode of Tridevi, Goddess Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Kali. 

Basara Temple has an amazing ancient legend where sages have attained spiritual enlightenment. Sri Gnana Saraswati Devasthanam is also known as Gnana Pradayeeni Shrine. 

The Devasthanam has built two shrines dedicated to the Goddess of Wisdom and Knowledge. One Saraswati temple is in Basara, Telangana, India, and another is in Kashmir. 

What is the Story of Sage Veda Vyasa and Sri Gnana Saraswati Temple?

Sage Vyasa is the author of the great Mahabharata, Shrimad Bhagavatam, Vedas, Puranas, and Brahma Sutra. He is the son of Queen Satyavati and Parashar Muni. Sage Veda Vyas was born Kalpi and brought up in Dwip (Island); thus, he is famous as the Krishna Dvaipayana Veda Vyasa. 

Vyasadeva is the father of King Pandu, Dhritrastra, Vidhura, Shuka, and Ghritachi, an apasara (celestial nymph).

King Shantanu was the father of three sons: Bhishma, Chitrangada, and Vichitravirya. Bhishma, the prominent warrior and commander, was celibate; his half-brothers died at a young age. 

Due to the scarcity in the family line, Queen Satyavati called her son, Veda Vyasa, to conceive the wives of Vichtravirya. 

Ambika and Ambalika, the Queens of Vichtravirya, gave birth to Dhritrasta, Pandu, and Vidhura, and thus the Mahabharata began for the throne between the brothers and then the next generation. 

The Mahabharata engulfed three generations and all the Bharatavarsha kings, princes, and their children. 

Why Was Sage Veda Vyasa Agitated After the Mahabharata? 

According to the Indian mythological epic, the Mahabharata, the war killed thousands of kings and the entire lineage of Vyasa, except Vidhura. Sage Vyasa was not coping with the facts and was agitated. He wanted peace of mind and stability and embarked on a pilgrimage. 

He traveled to South India from North India and reached the Dhandakaranya region. On the banks of river Godavari, he began to perform penance to please Goddess Saraswati Devi and calm his agitated soul. 

What Was the Meditation Routine Sage Veda Vyasa Used to Please Saraswati Devi of Basara? 

Sage Veda Vyasa is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He is the main member of the Kuru Kingdom and the son of Satyavati, the Queen of Kururashtra. Kuruvansh sustained itself for three generations due to the Sage Vyasa. Without him, there would be no Mahabharata and no Bhagavat Gita. 

It is the Lord himself who came to the earth to teach people and follow the path of Dharma. 

After the epic war, Sage Veda Vyasa used to wake up at Brahma Muhurtham. He went for a holy bath in the Godavari River and began his meditation until sunset. 

Why Did Maharishi Veda Vyasa Trek to Kumarachala?

Lord Kumara Swamy (Kartikey), the elder son of Lord Shiva, went through great penance on this hillock. It came to be known as Kumarachala Parvatham. 

After the meditation, Sage Veda Vyasa used to trek to Kumarachala Parvatha (Kumar Parvat) for penance in a cave. Therefore, he came to be known as Kumaraswamy. 

He used to pray “Bu” for the goddess Saraswathi Devi, the goddess of wisdom, knowledge, peace, supreme power, music, and art. 

She is Paramashanti Pradayini, Adrushyaroopini, the goddess who remains hidden but offers great peace within the human mind. 

Maharishi Veda Vyasa did great penance to please Goddess Saraswati. Due to his meditation, the region came to be known as Tapobhoomi. 

What Did Sage Veda Vyasa See During Meditation? 

Maharishi Veda Vyasa was doing great penance. During his meditation, he saw a dream. Goddess Saraswati Devi ordered Veda Vyasa to bring a feastful of sand before starting the meditation from Godavari. He brings those sands to the cave and keeps them in three heaps.

Why Did Sage Vyasa Build the Sri Saraswati Devi Temple in Basara?

Sage Veda Vyasa was doing exactly what Goddess Saraswati asked him to do. After some time, those three heaps of sand turned big, and three deities appeared due to the power of penance. 

These three hillocks, also known as Vyasa Guha, can be seen from a distance. 

Maha Saraswathi Devi, Maha Lakshmi Devi, and Mahakali appeared before him and blessed him with peace of mind and calmness. 

He did prana prathista on those heaps of sand. Then Sage Veda Vyasa turned the cave into the shrine of Tridevi.

As he stayed at the cave for so long, the place was known as “Vasara,” but with time, it became Basara.”

Basara Gnana Saraswati Temple also has a separate Vedavyasa shrine. It is at the front of the main temple. Devotees can also find Sri Dattatreya Swamy Temple near Sri Gnana Saraswati Devi Shrine. 

What is the History of Tri-Shaktipeetham?

Tri-Shaktipeetham means the Tridevi, the three goddesses (Maha Lakshmi, Maha Saraswati, and Maha Kali). Sri Gnana Saraswati Devi Temple, Basara, is 5000 years old and established by the great epic poet Maharishi Veda Vyasa. 

What is Aksharabhyasa, and Why Do Children Perform Pooja to Goddess Saraswati?

Devotees across the globe visit Basara Sri Gnana Saraswati Devi Temple to pray and pay their offerings to the goddess of wisdom and knowledge. 

The temple sees a huge crowd of devotees at the Aksharabhyasa, the Stale Pooja ceremony. The main ceremony happens every year for the devotees of Goddess Saraswati. 

They bring their children for the pooja so that they get the blessings of the goddess and perform Aksharabhyasam. 

The children who perform Aksharabhyasam are believed to attain great knowledge and become good at academics.