Vijayadashami: Thousands of Children Begin Their Learning Journey at Vidyarambham Ceremonies Across Kerala

From temple courtyards to specially arranged learning halls, Vijayadashami brought thousands of families together as toddlers traced their first letters in a cherished celebration of knowledge, faith and new beginnings.

The first letters were traced on rice grains, tiny fingers guided by elders, and the words “Hari Sree Ganapathaye Namah” marked the beginning of a lifelong journey of learning. Across Kerala on Wednesday, thousands of children took part in Vidyarambham, the traditional ceremony that introduces young learners to the world of letters on Vijayadashami.

Known locally as Ezhuthiniruthu, the ritual draws children, usually between three and five years old, to temples and cultural institutions, where acharyas, teachers, scholars and elders guide them through their first steps into education. Some toddlers cried, others followed instructions, while many watched the unfamiliar ceremony with wide-eyed curiosity.

The celebrations began early in the morning, with several centres starting ceremonies around 4 am. In the traditional ritual, an elder writes “Hari Sree Ganapathaye Namah” on a child’s tongue using a gold instrument and helps the child trace letters on rice grains or sand.

Vijayadashami marks the triumph of good over evil and is considered an auspicious day to begin education and new ventures. In Kerala, it is closely associated with Vidyarambham. Books and learning materials, worshipped before Goddess Saraswati on Durgashtami, are ceremonially taken out on Vijayadashami morning.

Among the prominent centres witnessing large gatherings were the Panachikkad Saraswati Temple in Kottayam, known as Dakshina Mookambika; Thunchanparamba in Tirur, Malappuram; the Navaratri Mandapam at Kottakkam in Thiruvananthapuram; and Sree Pisharikavu Temple in Kozhikode. The Kollur Mookambika Temple in neighbouring Karnataka also attracted Malayali devotees.

At Panachikkad, ceremonies began at 4 am, with temple authorities expecting around 10,000 children to participate. Approximately 50 acharyas were assigned to conduct the initiation rituals. Separate queues were arranged for darshan, Vidyarambham participants and devotees with online tickets to manage the crowds.

The occasion also saw participation from political leaders. Kerala Governor Rajendra V Arlekar guided children through the ritual at Lok Bhavan. Chief Minister V D Satheesan participated in an Ezhuthiniruthu ceremony at his residence in Paravur, while Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan hosted children at his residence in Thiruvananthapuram.

For families, Vidyarambham is more than a religious observance. It is a milestone that connects generations through a shared belief in education and the possibilities it offers. As children made their first marks on rice grains, the ceremony renewed an enduring hope: that every new beginning can open the door to knowledge, curiosity and discovery.