Kerala and South Indian initiation of children into letters on Vijayadashami

Vidyarambham, the beginning of learning, is the ceremony on Vijayadashami in which young children, usually between two and five years old, are initiated into the world of letters. It is celebrated most widely in Kerala, and also in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and among Malayali communities worldwide. After the books and instruments consecrated to Saraswati during Navratri are taken up again in the Puja Eduppu, the child sits on the lap of a guru — a priest, teacher, writer or respected elder — who guides the child's index finger to write in a tray of rice the words Hari Sri Ganapataye Namah, and then writes the same on the child's tongue with a gold ring, so that knowledge may flow in both hand and speech. Thousands gather at temples such as Panachikkad Dakshina Mookambika, the Thunchan Parambu in Tirur — the home of Thunchath Ezhuthachan, father of the Malayalam language — and Kollur Mookambika in Karnataka. Artists and musicians also begin new learning on this day, and it is considered the most auspicious day of the year to begin any study, art or craft.

No fast is prescribed.