The sacred festival of Vasant Panchami is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of learning and arts. On this day, people across the country perform Saraswati Puja in their homes and temples. But did you know that India also has some ancient and magnificent temples dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, which you can visit not only on Vasant Panchami but at any time of the year? Today, let us tell you some special things about five historical temples of Goddess Saraswati located in different parts of India (Goddess Saraswati Temples India).
Savitri Devi Temple, Pushkar (Rajasthan)
The Savitri Devi Temple, located atop the Ratnagiri Hill in Pushkar, Rajasthan, is one of the country’s most prominent pilgrimage sites. Perched at a height of approximately 750 feet, the temple is dedicated to Savitri and Gayatri, the wives of Lord Brahma.
To reach this temple, devotees must climb approximately 970 steps. From here, a breathtaking view of Pushkar Lake is visible. Inside the temple, three idols are enshrined: Goddess Savitri in the center, Goddess Sharada on the right, and Goddess Saraswati on the left.
Saraswati Temple, Rajasthan (Sharda Peeth)
This magnificent temple, made of white marble, was built in 1959. It is a fine example of 20th-century architecture and the Indo-Aryan Nagara style. Made of Makrana marble, the temple rests on 70 pillars and covers an area of approximately 25,000 square feet.
The temple’s 110-foot-high spire, topped with gold-plated copper finials, is shaped so that it aligns with the clock tower of the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), where the statues of the Goddess of Knowledge and Shri G.D. Birla face each other.
Mata Saraswati Temple, Uttarakhand
Located near Mana village, just 3 kilometers from Badrinath, this temple holds special significance in the Vedas and scriptures. It is believed to be the birthplace of Goddess Saraswati. Here, the Saraswati River appears as a stream, known as the “Kalkal” stream.
The stream is said to resemble a mouth, symbolizing the goddess’s divine origin. According to legend, Maharishi Ved Vyas composed the Mahabharata at this very spot , and the Pandavas visited it during their journey to heaven. A unique rock formation called Bhima Shila also exists nearby.
Koothanur Maha Saraswati Temple, Tamil Nadu
The Koothanur Temple in Tamil Nadu, formerly known as Ambalpuri, is a highly significant site dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. According to folklore, a dispute between Lord Brahma and Saraswati led to their rebirth on Earth as brother and sister. Lord Shiva later merged Saraswati with the Ganges River, which now flows here as the Arasalar River.
King Raja Chola donated this land to the poet Ottakkuthan, after whom the village was named Koothanur. Goddess Durga is worshipped here as the protector deity of the village.
Sri Sharadamba Temple, Karnataka
Located in Sringeri, Karnataka, this ancient temple was founded by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century. Initially, it housed a standing statue of Sharadamba (Saraswati) made of sandalwood.
Later, during the 14th century, the Vijayanagara rulers and the 12th Jagadguru Sri Vidyaranya replaced the wooden idol with a seated golden image. This temple is considered a major center of the Goddess of Learning in South India.
