Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 2 (UNI) Thousands of children across Kerala were initiated into the world of letters today as part of the traditional Vidyarambham rituals. The ceremony, held on Vijayadashami, marked the conclusion of the annual nine-day Navaratri festival.
The age-old ritual, which symbolises the beginning of formal learning, witnessed massive participation at temples, cultural centres, and institutions statewide.
Among the most sought-after venues were Panachikkad Temple in Kottayam, Thunjan Parambu at Tirur (the birthplace of poet Thunchath Ezhuthachan), the Thunchan Smaraka Samithi in Thiruvananthapuram, and the Kollur Mookambika Temple in neighbouring Karnataka.
In the capital, large crowds gathered for the initiation at the Navaratri Mandapam at Poojappura, the Pazhavangadi Ganapati Temple, the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple, and several other major shrines.
As part of the ritual, the mantra “Hari Sri Ganapataye Namah Avighnamastu” is traditionally inscribed on the child’s tongue with a golden ring. The child then repeats the mantra while writing it with their ring finger on raw rice placed in a bell metal vessel.
Prominent personalities, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Opposition Leader V D Satheesan, and senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, participated in the ceremonies, initiating hundreds of children. Leading media houses also conducted Vidyarambham functions.
Special pujas were performed at temples and cultural venues, with devotees thronging in large numbers to offer prayers to Goddess Saraswati, the deity of learning.
