At a distance of 35 km from Nizamabad, 158 km from Adilabad and 212 km from Hyderabad, Basara is a famous journey site situated in Adilabad district of Telangana. This is also one of the top Places to visit in Telangana.
Basar or Basara is situated on the banks of River Godavari. It is a famous tourist and pilgrimage site because of the famous Saraswathi temple. The Basara temple in is a unique temple of Goddess Saraswati, the Hindu Goddess of Knowledge and Learning. Children are brought here to do the learning ceremony called Akshara Abhyasam. It is believed to be one of the two oldest temples of Goddess Saraswathi in India, the other being located in Kashmir.
According to mythology, Maharishi Vyas, his disciples, and sage Viswamitra decided to settle down in a cool and serene atmosphere after the Kurukshetra War. In the quest for a peaceful abode, he came to Dandaka forest and pleased with the serenity of the region, selected this place. Since Maharishi Vyasa spent considerable time in prayers, the place was then called ‘Vasari’ and turned into Basara due to the influence of the Marathi language in the region.
Sri Gnana Saraswathi Temple
At a distance of 1 km from Basara Bus Station, Goddess Saraswathi Devi Temple (Basara Temple) is situated on the left bank of river Godavari. Basara Saraswathi Temple is one of the famous temples in Telangana. The Goddess Saraswathi is known for initiation of Aksharabhyasam and is also called as Sri Gnana Saraswathi. Basara Temple is one of the two oldest Saraswathi Temples of India, the other temple is in Kashmir.
The temple is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge. The temple also houses the idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Kali. As per history, Bijia Ludu a Karnataka king, who ruled the province of Nandagiri with Nanded as his capital in the 6th century, constructed the temple at Basara.
According to the legend, Sage Veda Vyasa after the Kurukshetra war was searching for peace and reached Basara situated on the banks of River Godavari in Dandakaranya. He found this place very serene and so started meditating here. The Goddess ordered the sage to place three handfuls of sand at three places every day. Miraculously these sand dunes transformed into the idols of the divine trinity i.e., Saraswathi, Lakshmi, and Kali.
Vyasa Maharshi Cave
At a distance of 1 km from Basara Bus Station, Vyasa Maharshi Cave is a cave situated on top of a hill next to the Basara Temple of Gnana Saraswathi Devi. This cave has a narrow entrance and one has to wriggle through it to enter the small enclosure. Here one can see the marble idol of sage Veda Vyasa. Legend says that Veda Vyasa stayed here during his meditation.
It is believed that Maharshi Veda Vyasa, the author of Mahabharata and his disciples and sage Suka decided to rest in a calm and serene ambience after the Kurukshetra war. In the quest for a peaceful abode, he came to Dandaka forest and pleased with serenity of the region, selected this place. Since Maharishi Vyasa spent considerable time in prayers, the place was then called Vasara and turned into Basara.
Godavari River & Bathing Ghat
At a distance of 2 km from Basara Bus Station & 1 km from Basara Temple, Bathing Ghats are situated on the mighty Godavari River at Basara. The Manjeera river is merged into Godavari near Basara and the flow of water increases at this point. Several pilgrims take bath at the ghats before visiting the main temple. Boating is also available in Godavari River at the ghats. There are several boats available throughout the day to ferry tourists and natives. Before the construction of new road bridge across Godavari near Basara, most of the people used to depend on boats to cross the river and the other side.
Ali Sagar Dam
At a distance of 3.5 km from Jankampet Bus Stand, 13 km from Nizamabad Bus Station, 28 km from Basara and 187 km from Hyderabad, Ali Sagar Dam is located near Jankampet village in Nizamabad district of Telangana. Ali Sagar Reservoir is a popular picnic spot in the region of Nizamabad. It was constructed by Nizams of Hyderabad in 1931 and it is a lift irrigation project. The left canal originates from the back waters of Pochampad Dam. There is a garden near the reservoir which was developed by the Nizams of Hyderabad. This garden is spread over a total land area of 33 acres and is popular for its fountains, tree house, deer park and a flower garden.
Ashok Sagar / Jankampet Lake
At a distance of 1 km from Jankampet Bus Stand, 9 km from Nizamabad Bus Station, 26 km from Basara and 183 km from Hyderabad, Ashok Sagar is located at Jankampet in Nizamabad District of Telangana. The Jankampet Lake is converted into attractive beautiful lake called as ‘Ashok Sagar’. This is situated on the route to the famous Saraswathi temple at Basar from Hyderabad. It is a huge reservoir with beautiful Rock garden, octagonal shaped restaurant, swinging bridge, boating facilities and children’s park.
The garden is spread over an area of two acres with beautiful flowers, landscape and attractive natural setting rock cuts. There is a fifteen feet marble statue of Goddesses Saraswati in the middle of the water. The lake is very scenic with a backdrop of hilly region. Ashok Sagar now boasts of excellent boating facilities with 18 seater, four seater speed boats, and pedal boats. The octagonal shaped Ashok Sagar Restaurant is a beautiful structure.
