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| velsglobalschool.ac.in |
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| Vidhyarambha in Kochi, indiatimes.com/ |
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| Vidhyarambha, Kerala mythologymantra.com |
Vidyarambham, one of the most cherished traditions of Kerala, is a ritual that marks a child’s formal initiation into the world of knowledge, letters, and learning. The word itself comes from Sanskrit, where “Vidya” means knowledge and “Arambham” means beginning. In Kerala, this practice is deeply rooted in cultural and religious life, and it is closely tied to the Vijayadashami day, which marks the conclusion of the nine-day Navaratri festival. Vijayadashami is considered an auspicious time to begin education or learning any art form, and for generations, parents have chosen this day to introduce their children, usually aged between three and five, to the realm of education.
The ritual, popularly called Ezhuthiniruthu in Malayalam, has been observed for centuries in temples dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the deity of wisdom, learning, and arts. On this day, children dressed in traditional attire are brought by their parents to temples, where priests or gurus guide them through the ceremony. The practice begins with prayers and offerings to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, followed by an invocation to Goddess Saraswati. The child is then seated on the lap of a parent or an elder, and under the guidance of the guru, they write the sacred mantra “Hari Sri” on a bed of raw rice or sand placed in a tray. This act symbolizes the beginning of the learning journey. Writing on sand represents practice, while writing on rice signifies acquisition of knowledge and prosperity. The guru then inscribes the same mantra on the child’s tongue using a golden ring, symbolizing eloquence and the blessings of divine wisdom. The ritual is also accompanied by offering “gurudakshina” to the guru in the form of betel leaves, areca nut, money, and new clothes, expressing gratitude and reverence for the teacher’s role in shaping the child’s educational journey.
Kerala is home to several temples where Vidyarambham is observed on a large scale. Among the most popular are Thiruvullakkavu Sree Dharma Sastha Temple in Thrissur, Thrikkavu Sri Durga Bhagavathy Temple in Malappuram, and Sree Dakshina Mookambika Temple at Paravur near Kochi, all of which attract thousands of families each year. The Panachikkadu Saraswathy Temple in Kottayam, often called the Mookambika of the South, is another famous venue for Vidyarambham. Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, popularly known as the Sabarimala of women, also witnesses the ritual with great fervor. These temples are not only places of worship but also centers where the cultural and spiritual importance of learning is celebrated.
An interesting aspect of Kerala’s Vidyarambham tradition is its inclusiveness. Though deeply Hindu in origin, in recent decades the ritual has transcended religious boundaries. Several Christian churches in Kerala have also adopted the practice, conducting initiation ceremonies for children under the guidance of priests, reflecting the state’s unique tradition of blending spirituality and education across communities.
In essence, Vidyarambham in Kerala is not merely a religious ceremony but a cultural celebration of knowledge and learning. It signifies the deep-rooted belief that education, blessed by divine grace, is the foundation of prosperity, wisdom, and growth in life. In 2025 Vidharanbham ceremoy fallson October 02 (on the Vijayadasami Day)
Sources:
https://keralakaumudi.com/en/news/news.php?id=165673&u=children-initiated-into-the-world-of-letters-
