Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 21: From hesitant scribbles to curious smiles, thousands of toddlers across Keralam took their first steps into the world of letters on Wednesday as temples and cultural centres celebrated Vijayadasami with the traditional ‘Vidyarambham’ ceremony.
The ritual, marking the culmination of the nine-day Navratri festival, saw children, mostly aged between two and three years, introduced to learning by scholars, writers, teachers, priests and other prominent personalities.
The ceremony began with children being guided to write their first letters, traditionally starting with the mantra ‘Hari Sree Ganapathaye Namaha’ on rice grains or sand.
The ritual was held at major temples and cultural centres across the state, including the Thunchan Memorial at Thunchanparamba in Tirur, Panachikkadu Saraswathi Temple in Kottayam, Dakshina Mookambika Temple in North Paravur, and also at the famed Mookambika Temple at Kollur in neighbouring Karnataka.
At Thunchanparamba, the birthplace of the Father of the Malayalam language, Thunchath Ezhuthachan, the ceremonies began around 5 am, with prominent writers and traditional gurus initiating children into learning.
At Panachikkadu Saraswathi Temple, the rituals began after the shrine opened at 3.30 am and the ceremonial pooja was completed. Music and cultural programmes were also organised on the temple premises.
Thousands of devotees, particularly from Keralam reached the Kollur Mookambika Temple, to initiate the toddlers into the world of letters. Many also brought children for their first performances in music and other art forms.
In the state capital, arrangements were made at prominent places of worship and cultural centres, including the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Poojappura Saraswathi Temple and Attukal Bhagavathy Temple.
The ritual transcended religious and social boundaries, with cultural figures, academics and political leaders also participating in the ceremonies.
Chief Minister V D Satheesan initiated children into learning at his MLA office in his constituency of Paravur in Ernakulam district.
Toddlers began arriving at the chief minister’s office in the morning for the Vidyarambham ceremony. Holding their little hands, the CM guided them to write their first letters on rice grains and wished them a successful journey into the world of learning.
According to official sources, the CM initiated around 25 children from different parts of the state into the world of letters. He reached the office after offering prayers at the Paravur Dakshina Mookambika Temple.
The ceremony was held in the presence of a large gathering of parents and officials.
As he would not be in the state capital on Vijayadasami day, the CM initiated four children into learning at his official residence, Cliff House, in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday, they said.
Devaswom Minister K Muraleedharan led the ceremony at the Saraswathi Mandapam in Poojappura here.
“It is a privilege to usher little children into the world of letters,” the minister told reporters.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan extended greetings to the people on the auspicious day through a Facebook post.
Stating that the light of knowledge guides society towards progress, he said education empowers people to overcome the darkness of ignorance and superstition and move forward along the path of rational thinking and humanism.
Vijayan wished the children, beginning their journey into the world of letters and knowledge, a future filled with love and happiness.
He said society should strive to ensure quality education and equal opportunities for every child, while giving priority to knowledge, scientific temper and humanism.
“May the light of knowledge reach everyone and the day mark the beginning of new hopes and lofty dreams,” he said, extending his Maha Navami and Vijayadasami greetings.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also helped children write their first letters during a ceremony held here. (PTI)
