Across South Indian states tens of Thousands of children will be initiated into the world of letters under the guidance of Gurus at temples on ensuing Vijayadashami day this year- during the last days of Navratri festivities. Vidyarambham ceremony falls on Thursday, 2nd October 2025 at 9:00 AM. It marks the beginning of a child's long educational journey, with prayers for wisdom and knowledge to succeed in life.
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| Vidyarambha vaidicpujas.org |
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| Vidyarambha Facebook.com |
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| Vidyarambham in Mangaluru,Karnataka mangaloretoday.com |
Above image: The 10 day Hindu festival Navaratri is dedicated to the goddesses in the Hindu pantheon. It coincides with the Durga Puja in West Bengal. Associated with Navaratri celebration is ''Vidyarambham''..............
Vidyarambham, meaning the auspicious beginning of knowledge, is one of the most cherished rituals in South India, celebrated during the culmination of the nine-day Navaratri festival, particularly on Vijayadashami day. The practice signifies the initiation of a child into the world of letters, learning, arts, and knowledge. In Indian culture, education has always held an exalted place, transcending social, economic, and religious boundaries, and Vidyarambham symbolizes the sacred step that sets the child on the path of wisdom and progress. Though the ritual is observed across India in different forms, it is particularly significant in the southern states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, where families, temples, and cultural institutions mark it with great devotion and enthusiasm.
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| Vidyarambham in Kerala timesofindia.indiatimes.com |
In Kerala, Vidyarambham holds a special place as thousands of children are initiated into learning on Vijayadashami. The ceremony is often conducted in temples dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, such as the Panachikkadu Saraswati Temple near Kottayam and other prominent shrines across the state. Parents dress their children traditionally and bring them to temples early in the morning, where priests or gurus guide them through the ritual. The most common practice involves making the child write the sacred mantra “Hari Sri Ganapataye Namah” on a bed of raw rice or sand. This act symbolizes the child’s first encounter with letters, representing practice, growth, and knowledge. The guru then writes the same mantra on the child’s tongue with a golden ring, an act signifying divine blessing for eloquence, wisdom, and prosperity. The grace of Saraswati, the goddess of learning, and Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, is invoked during the ritual. Vidyarambham is not restricted to academics; many children begin their first lessons in music, dance, and classical arts on this day, aligning with Kerala’s rich cultural heritage.
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| Vidyarambham ceremony in TN temple youtube.com |
In Tamil Nadu, the ritual is popularly known as “Mudhal Ezhuthu” or “Ezhuthiniruthu,” meaning the first writing. The Vijayadashami day is considered highly auspicious for beginning any form of learning, be it formal education or fine arts. Families often conduct the ceremony at home, but many also prefer taking their children to temples like Coimbatore’s Ayyappan Temple or Saraswati shrines across the state. The process is similar to that in Kerala: the mantra is inscribed on rice or sand, and sometimes on the child’s tongue with gold by a guru or priest. It is closely tied to the Ayudha Puja celebrations of Navaratri, where tools, instruments, and books are worshipped on the preceding day, and on Vijayadashami they are symbolically used again to mark the resumption or beginning of learning. In Tamil Nadu, Vijayadashami is also the day when students of music, Bharatanatyam, or other traditional arts commence their training, reinforcing the cultural link between spirituality and learning. Offering “Gurudakshina” to the guru in the form of betel leaves, areca nut, cloth, and money is an integral part of the ceremony, showing gratitude and respect for the teacher’s role in guiding the child.
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| Vidhyaranbha at Kollur Mookambika temple, KA kalavadyfarmstay.com |
In Karnataka, Vidyarambham is also observed with equal reverence, especially in Mangaluru and Udupi regions. During Navaratri, temples dedicated to Goddess Durga and Saraswati become centers for the ritual. Families worship Lord Vishnu, Saraswati, and Ganesha before initiating the child into learning. The ritual is usually performed by children between the ages of three and five, who are considered ready to step into the world of knowledge. In addition to writing the sacred mantra on rice, Karnataka families also emphasize beginning training in Carnatic music, Yakshagana, and other traditional art forms on this day. Schools, cultural associations, and mutts in the region often organize collective Vidyarambham ceremonies, where hundreds of children participate together.
Across these states, Vidyarambham carries the unifying theme of linking divine grace with the pursuit of knowledge. Whether performed in the sanctity of temples or within homes, the ritual reflects the reverence for learning that is deeply ingrained in South Indian culture. By invoking the blessings of Saraswati and Ganesha, the ritual emphasizes that education is not merely academic but a sacred journey guided by wisdom, humility, and gratitude. The practice continues to thrive in modern times, reaffirming the timeless belief that true prosperity begins with the first step into the world of learning.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vidyarambham
https://kalavadyfarmstay.com/2023/10/26/kollur-mookambika-temple-vidyarambham-ritual/
