Vidyāraṃbhaṃ

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Vidyarambha
)
A Malayali girl sits with a Brahmin before the vidyarambham ceremony on Navaratri
For the Malayalam film, see Vidhyarambham.
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Vidyarambham (

romanized: Akṣara Abhyāsam, lit. 'repetition of words'), and Mutal Eluttu (Tamil: முதல் எழுத்து, romanized: Mut̬al Eḻuttu, lit. 'First word') is a Hindu initiation ceremony that is performed before a child begins their formal education. This ritual is dedicated to the goddess of learning, Saraswati.[2][3] It is popular in the South Indian states of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana
.

Etymology

The ceremony of Vidyarambham derives its name from the Sanskrit terms Vidya meaning "knowledge", and arambham, meaning "beginning".

Description

Ceremony

The ceremony is intended to introduce young children into the world of knowledge, letters, and the process of learning. After a child completes four years of age, on the occasion of Vijayadashami, the father or the instructor of the child chants and writes either the Panchaksharam or the Ashtaksharam mantra on whole wheat or grains of rice, piled on a banana leaf, placed in front of a puja. Holding the hand of the child, the father or the instructor traces the words of the mantra using the former's finger. The alphabets of the child's native language are then written on the grain. Following the completion of this ceremony, the child is admitted for their formal education at school.[4]

Significance

The Akshara Abhyasam is dedicated to Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of learning.

The Vijayadashami day is the tenth and final day of the

gurudakshina. This usually consists of a betel leaf, areca nut, along with a small token of money and a new piece of clothing - a dhoti or sari.[5]

Regional practices

In

Basar, Telangana
, is a popular temple where this ceremony is held for a large number of children. [8][9]

See also

References

  1. ^ www.wisdomlib.org (6 January 2019). "Vidyarambha, Vidyārambha, Vidya-arambha: 5 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  2. ^ "Shopping month is here". The Hindu. 13 July 2009. Archived from the original on 17 July 2009. Retrieved 6 February 2012.
  3. ^ P. Ram Mohan (12 February 2008). "Devotees put to hardship at Basar". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 16 February 2008. Retrieved 6 February 2012.
  4. ISBN 978-81-7017-415-8
    .
  5. ^ "Navratri rituals: Golu, Saraswati puja, Vidyarambham... : 4". The Deccan Chronicle. 5 October 2013. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  6. ^ "Thiruvananthapuram gears up for Vidyarambham day". The Hindu. 11 October 2013. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  7. ^ "Toddlers make a beginning with divine blessings". The Hindu. February 2009.
  8. ^ "'Aksharabhyasam' launched". The Hindu. 24 January 2007. Archived from the original on 21 January 2008. Retrieved 6 February 2012.
  9. ^ "Pilgrims throng Basar on Vasantha Panchami". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012. Retrieved 6 February 2012.
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