Gnana Saraswati Temple, Basara

The Gnana Saraswati Temple stands on the bank of the Godavari at Basara in Nirmal district, about 205 km from Hyderabad and 35 km from Nizamabad. It is one of the two best-known temples to Saraswati, goddess of knowledge, in the subcontinent. Families bring young children here for Akshara Abhyasam, the ceremony that marks the start of their education.

Tradition says the sage Vyasa settled here with his disciples after the Kurukshetra war, spending long periods in prayer, and that the place was first called Vasara after him. It is also said to be one of three temples built where the Manjira joins the Godavari. Historically, the temple is credited to Bijialudu, a 6th-century king who ruled from Nanded.