Basant Panchmi : Ancient Sarasawati Temples In India 2020
Basant Panchami is the day solely dedicated to the worship of Devi Saraswati, who is one of the most hallowed deities of the Hindu pantheon. While, devout believers perform Saraswati Puja in their homes and residential societies, visiting the famous Saraswati Temples in India has its own significance. Ahead of the upcoming Basant Panchami celebration, here’s a dekko at the venerable temples dedicated to the Great Goddess.
In the Satana district of Chitrakoot in Madhya Pradesh is one of the famous Saraswati temples. And because the temple lies in Maihar town, the presiding goddess is also known as Maihar Devi. The temple is located on a hillock and pilgrims have to climb 1063 steps to reach it. The ropeway is available for the differently-abled and the elderly. Pilgrims perform abhisheka or sacred bath of the deity and offer sweet pudding during worship. Basant Panchami celebrations are also held here to honour the goddess.
There is a Saraswati Devi temple in the blessed region of Pushkar. Since Pushkar is the only place in the world where a temple dedicated to Lord Bramha is located, it is but obvious for his celestial wife, Saraswati to have a residence by his side.
The goddess of purity, fine arts and auspiciousness, Sharada (Saraswati) resides in her exalted form at the Sringeri Sharada Peetham or Sringeri Temple on the banks of River Tunga in the Chikkamagalur district of Karnataka. It was established by Sri Adi Shankaracharya, the great mystic, scholar and Indian philosopher in the 8th century AD. In the 14th century, the sandalwood idol of the goddess was further decorated with gold and stone and re-installed for worship.
The South-facing goddess Saraswati at this temple is known for its power to grant boons. Another aspect of this holy abode is the invisible presence of a Yakshi (female vampire) and the exotic fauna. The temple is open for pilgrims on all days and special celebrations are held during Navratri. It is situated in Panachikadu village of Kottayam district of Kerala.
Old lore has it that the great sages Veda Vyasa and Vishwamitra stayed on the banks of Godavari at Basar in today’s Telangana after the Kurukshetra war more than 5,000 years ago. The peace permeating the region impressed them and the Rishis spent quite a long time here in prayers and meditation. Later, King Bijialudu got a temple of Saraswati Devi made at this sanctified spot. Today, pilgrims visit Gnana Saraswati Temple to perform the ritual of Akshara abhyanga which is meant to initiate children in formal education.
