Famous temples of Goddess Saraswati from across India

Basant Panchami is the day of Devi Saraswati, when the Goddess of learning is worshipped. While devotees observe Saraswati Puja in their homes and communities, there are many renowned Saraswati Temples in India that devotees can visit at other times too, if not on this day. On this auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami, let's take a virtual tour of such temples dedicated to the Great Goddess.

Sharda Peeth, a splendid white marble temple constructed in 1959, honours Saraswati, the Goddess of learning, with architectural harmony reflecting the twentieth-century style. Adhering to the Indo-Aryan Nagara scheme, the temple stands on 70 pillars and encompasses sections like Garbha Griha, Pradakshina Path, Antarala, Mandapam, and Ardha Mandapam. Covering around 25,000 sq ft, the structure rests on a 7 ft high basement and features Makrana marble from Rajasthan. The Shikhar above the sanctum reaches 110 ft, adorned with copper kalashas plated in gold. Symbolically aligning with the Clock Tower of Birla Institute of Technology and Science, it features the Goddess of learning in direct line of sight, with Shri G D Birla's statue completing the connection.

The Dakshina Mookambika Temple in North Paravur, Kerala, is a revered Saraswati temple featuring sub-deities like Ganapathy, Mahavishnu, Kartikeya, Yakshi, Hanuman, and Veerabhadran. The sanctum, surrounded by a lotus pool, houses a shrine dedicated to Yakshi. According to local legend, the ruler of Paravur, Thampuran, a devoted worshipper of Goddess Mookambika, built the temple in Paravur following a divine dream. Faced with declining health, he was unable to undertake his annual pilgrimage to the Kollur temple in Mangalore. In the dream, the goddess instructed him to construct her idol near his palace for daily darshan. Thampuran faithfully carried out her command, establishing the temple in Paravur.

Located on Ratnagiri Hill, the Savitri Mata Mandir, also known as Savitri Temple, is a revered Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Savitri. Located in Pushkar, Ajmer, this hilltop temple stands at an elevation of approximately 750 ft. Accessible by ascending 970 steps, the Savitri Temple is a prominent pilgrimage site and one of India's significant temples. It houses idols of both of Lord Brahma's wives, Savitri and Gayatri. Positioned atop the Ratnagiri hills, with a view overlooking the Pushkar lake, the temple also features three idols—Goddess Savitri in the centre, with Goddess Sharda on the right and Goddess Saraswati on the left.

Nestled near Mana village, just 3 km from Badrinath, the Mata Saraswati temple is a divine sanctuary dedicated to the goddess of knowledge, music, art, and intelligence. This sacred site holds special significance in the Vedas and scriptures, believed to be the birthplace of Goddess Saraswati. The Kalkal stream of the Saraswati river originates here, and there is this small temple, where worshippers come to receive blessings. The stream, supposedly resembling a face, symbolises the divine origin of Saraswati. Legends even connect this site to the Pandavas' journey to heaven, Maharishi Ved Vyas' composition of the Mahabharata, and the unique rock formation known as Bhim Shila.

Established by Sri Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century, the Sharadamba Temple at Sringeri (also known as Shringa giri in Sanskrit) initially housed a standing sandalwood statue of Sharadamba (Saraswati). Later, during the 14th century, the Vijayanagara rulers and Sri Vidyaranya (12th Jagadguru) replaced it with a seated gold statue of Sri Sharadamba.

Dedicated to the goddess of learning, Saraswathi, the Koothanur temple, formerly known as Ambalpuri, holds great significance. As per the folklore, a conflict between Lord Brahma and Saraswathi led them to be born as siblings on Earth. Lord Shiva resolved it by merging Saraswathi with the Ganga river, now flowing as Arasalar river in Koothanur. King Raja Raja Chola's donation to Poet Ottakkootthan led to the village being named Koothanur.

Bathing in the Dakshina Triveni Sangamam here is believed to cleanse one from past sins. Goddess Durga is also revered as the village's protective deity. Temple timings are 7 AM - 12 PM; 4 PM - 8 PM.