Basara Trip

There are only two Gnana Saraswati temples in India and one of them located in Basara and another in J&K. Folks rush from all over A.P and adjacent states for their children’s aksharabhyasam. Basara is a temple of historic significance. As per the records, Valmiki installed the statue of Goddess Saraswati before commencing the epic book Ramayana. Another legend states that Vyasa after the great Kurukshetra war spent many years in the place seeking solace and installed the status of Goddess Saraswati and Lakshmi.
Basara trip was long due since I came from US. I was invited/’ to a marriage in Nizamabad. As Basara even though in Adilabad is not far from Nizamabad, we thought we will visit the temple before attending the marriage. I along with a team of six decided to start in two cars at morning 6:00.
We had a perfect to start. The weather was not warm all along the journey. We had very little or no sun shine, cloudy clouds and gentle breeze wind. We did not even turn on our car A.Cs for most of our journey.
If you are a big breakfast eater, then I suggest you carry food from home. As it is Nagpur HW, dabbas are scattered on NH7 and not many restaurants on the way. Courtesy AP tourism, there is one restaurant close to Nizamabad. Drive on NH 7 is smooth and one can easily touch 80 kmph. Toll plaza stops you on the way and I suggest you purchase a two way pass if you planning to return on the same day. So, spare 170 or so.
We stopped at a dabba and had our breakfast to invigorate. We crossed around 5 railway crossing on the way to Basara. The temple is 2 kms away from the town; bumpy and single road sure to greet you. On the way we crossed Godavari. Parking at the temple can be a problem if you travel on a busy day. The Sunday rush took us more than 2 hours to enter the temple premises. Devotees were mostly disciplined in the snake like line with occasional disciple breach.
The main temple sanctum is not big but the very presence of Goddess Saraswati with Lakshmi idols gives a glow to the surroundings. Goddess Lakshmi idol is smaller and is left to the goddess Saraswati idol. One cannot make difference between the two idols. Both the idols are covered with turmeric and have a gleaming smile. In spite of long line, the temple authorities give ample time for the devotees to catch a glimpse of idols.
We missed Kali temple which is on the first floor as it was closed, Vyasa caves and river Godavari. Hope I catch them next time.
We attended our friend’s marriage and reached home around 9:00.
To be taken care: Breakfast & lunch if one do not prefer rotis at dabba