GODDESS SARASWATI TEMPLE

S. Manohar Prasad Mathur

Little is known how the firm belief has taken roots that the only temple of Goddess Saraswati in India is situated at Basar in Andhra Pradesh, but this certainty of the faithfuls can not be challenged for this is the only temple of Bhagwati Saraswati existing from remotest past as it is consecrated by the great Seer Veda Vyasa. Of course, this exclusiveness which distinguishes it from the rest of the shrines and little known places of worship of Goddess Saraswati in India can not be disputed.

Situated in about 2 kms from the river Godavari nearing the border of Maharastra in Adilabad District, this temple existed from the dawn of Hastinapur Empire and its easy approachability had made it a great pilgrim centre, which thus does not confine it to South Indian pilgrims but attracts devotees from all over India. It is linked with train (Hyderabad - Manmad), and road; especially after the construction of the bridge over river Godavari reducing the long distance to about 42 kms. from Nizamabad. These facilities had encouraged the pilgrims to throng in the temple which is kept open practically the whole day and now with an interval in the noon for an hour. Though the existing facilities of communication existed, but the provision for stay was not in consonance with its importance and thanks to the interest taken by the Devasthan Board, and the active participation of TTD in construction of the Choultries and the guest-house the difficulty is no longer felt. A good modern shopping arcade is also carved out replacing the old traditional thatched tenement. These adroit affability of lodgings by granting of license to moderate hotels has installed dauntlessness in the devotees. The choultaries do have facilities as in Tirumala Hills for cooking and supply of utensils to the desired.

It is said that the great savant Veda Vyasa during his sojourn of South India, having stayed here had to perform daily the Shastric oblations and ordinate rituals while so he had a desire to have temples of Saraswati, Mahalakshmi and Mahankali. His prayers were granted and he was commanded by God to place three fistful of sand at three different places every day after his bath in Godavari river. He obeyed the prescribed ordeal every day till one day he found the heap of sand turned into beautiful idols of those Goddesses at the respective spots, for God redeemed His promise and the jubilant Veda Vyasa bowed down to thank His bounty. The foundations thus laid miraculously, the daily worship also started incredibly with shastric rituals which are being observed to this day.

Like the destruction of all temples in India, this temple also became the victim of vandalism, loot and demolition by the religions bigots, who not only ransacked the temple, but followed by arson, loot and rape of the innocent girls, took men and women as slaves for their carnal desires.

The deities were not only defaced by the infidels it was mingled with the dust, but the will of the devotees raised the idols again with the same sand, and the Goddesses blessed them. Surprisingly the then Madhadapati Jagatguru of the holy Sringiri did not remain mute spectator and put in his might along with the local chieftain one Makkaji Patel who led this movement and restored it to its pristine glory.

The temple of Saraswati as such has only a sanctorum wherein the Goddess is placed on a small pedestal and this sand idol is of average height with a Sitar in Her lap. It was kept open for worship without any closure or rest, the Devasthanam now preferred to opt for traditional closing in the noon. The Garbagudi is attached with a Mandapam sufficient enough to facilitate devotees, and this recent construction inside the precinct is certainly not befitting of a temple of this magnitude. The compound wall of the temple is high enough to protect, but not in consonance with the massive temple walls found in ancient temples. Similarly the entrance gates also lack the grandeur of the temples of lore. This is what has been raised after the vandalism of the infidels. Devasthanam Board is envisaging to renovate with the Agma Shastra and to built the traditional Gopurams, the Mahadwar for entrance etc. and the work is in progress, which when completed will herald a new era for the famed temple which is in a dismal state to day.

The temple has the Mahankali Mata Shrine and Bhagwan Dattatreya under fig tree within the four walls of the temple while outside is the Mahalakshmi Devalaya.

In view of its importance it should have been a star attraction for the devastas, Gods, Godmens, Seers and Saints from the remote past, and around the temple for and near they had their imprints of stay, what now are known as Ashta Tirthas (8 tanks) where small niches do remind us of their work on earth, and their bathing tanks, still serve the devotees. The temple's tank is known as Papaharani Saraswati Tirtha and the eight theerathas as Ganesh, Shiva, Vishnu, Indra, Surya, Vyasa, Valmiki are situated on the eight directions (within a radius of 2 kms. from the main temple tank.

It is customary for the devotees to bring the children for starting their educational voyage to the temple, wherein the first alphabets are taught to tinytots and slates, pencil, pen etc. are offered to the Goddess.

A large number of devotees do flock here for the fulfilment of their mundane desires, and has to strictly obey the prescribed ordeal during their stay and live on the morsels received by him by begging in the human habitations nearby. This is known as Anusthan; and the devotees return after receiving the blessings of the Goddess has ordered.

It is certain that within a very short period this temple shall regain the lost glory, and shall be a architectural marvel attracting the believers from far and near.