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On the traditional Hindu calendar, spring season begins today!
Basant Panchami or Vasantotsav has been an ancient festival! A day of prayers to Devi Saraswati, the goddess of learning.
A short thread on the temples dedicated to Devi Saraswati.
#BasantPanchami
Basant Panchami or Vasantotsav has been an ancient festival! A day of prayers to Devi Saraswati, the goddess of learning.
A short thread on the temples dedicated to Devi Saraswati.
#BasantPanchami
Beginning with the ancient temple of Sharada Devi in Kashmir. A holy Shakthi Peetham unfortunately in ruins in PoK now, thanks to Islamic invaders.
नमस्ते शारदे देवी काश्मीरपुरवासिनि
त्वामहं प्रार्थये नित्यं विद्यादानं च देहि मे॥
#BasantPanchami #ReclaimTemples
नमस्ते शारदे देवी काश्मीरपुरवासिनि
त्वामहं प्रार्थये नित्यं विद्यादानं च देहि मे॥
#BasantPanchami #ReclaimTemples
From there to Risyasringapuram (Sringeri) in Karnataka where Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya established the Dakshinamnaya Sharada Peetham, the first among the four, in order to rejuvenate Sanatana Dharma. Sharada Devi continues to bless us from here!
#BasantPanchami
#BasantPanchami
In Adilabad district in Telangana is the ancient temple of Gnana Saraswati in Basara. Even today thousands of children have their Aksharabhyaasam here.
Former PM PV Narasimha Rao credited all his knowledge as a blessing of the devi here.
#BasantPanchami
Former PM PV Narasimha Rao credited all his knowledge as a blessing of the devi here.
#BasantPanchami
In Koothanoor in Thiruvarur district in Tamil Nadu is the temple dedicated to goddess Maha Saraswati. Story goes that a Chola king (Rajaraja ?) donated this village to poet Ottakkoothar to do his writing in peace. Koothan + ooru is the etymology.
#BasantPanchami
#BasantPanchami
In the ancient land of Kalinga Desham (currently Odisha's Jagatsinghpur) is the temple dedicated to goddess Sarala Devi, a tantric incarnation of Saraswati Devi. 15th cent. Sideshwar Parida became Sarala Das, author of Odia Mahabharata with her blessings.
#BasantPanchami
#BasantPanchami
The Sarala Devi temple has a unique syncretic tradition of Shaiva and Vaishnava cultures. Both Tulsi and Bilva leaves are offered to Sarala Devi.
Devi is called 'Vaak Devi', giver of knowledge. She holds a Veena, a book and a handbell.
Devi is called 'Vaak Devi', giver of knowledge. She holds a Veena, a book and a handbell.
In Rajasthan, overlooking the Pushkar lake on the hilltop is the ancient temple dedicated to Devi Saraswati as worshiped as goddess Savitri!
It is a good trek and now there are ropeways to ferry devotees. The sight from the top is stunning!
#BasantPanchami
It is a good trek and now there are ropeways to ferry devotees. The sight from the top is stunning!
#BasantPanchami
Bhojashala in Dhar in Madhya Pradesh once housed an ancient temple dedicated to goddess Saraswati.
The place is in ruins now. And we know why!
#BasantPanchami
The place is in ruins now. And we know why!
#BasantPanchami
