Vidyarambham (Sanskrit:विद्यारम्भ,romanized: Vidyārambham,lit. 'commencement of studies'),[1] also renderedAkshara Abhyasam (Sanskrit:अक्षर अभ्यासम,romanized: Akṣara Abhyāsam,lit. 'repetition of words'), andMutal Eluttu (Tamil:முதல் எழுத்து,romanized: Muṭal Eḻuttu,lit. 'First word') is aHinduinitiation 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 theSouth Indian states ofKarnataka,Kerala,Tamil Nadu,Andhra Pradesh, andTelangana.
The ceremony of Vidyarambham derives its name from theSanskrit termsVidya meaning "knowledge", andarambham, meaning "beginning".
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 ofVijayadashami, the father or the instructor of the child chants and writes either thePanchaksharam or theAshtaksharammantra on whole wheat or grains of rice, piled on a banana leaf, placed in front of apuja. 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]
The Vijayadashami day is the tenth and final day of theNavaratri celebrations, and is considered auspicious for beginning learning in any field. The process of learning and initiation on this day is also closely related to theAyudha Puja ritual. It is usually onVijayadashami that the implements kept for puja are taken up again for re-use. This is also considered a day when the goddess of learning,Saraswati, and teachers (gurus) must be revered by givinggurudakshina. This usually consists of abetel leaf,areca nut, along with a small token of money and a new piece of clothing - adhoti orsari.[5]
InKerala, this ritual is usually conducted on the last day ofNavaratri, i.e. onVijayadashami day where children are formally introduced to learning of music, dance, languages and other folk arts. Vidyarambham can also be performed at home on an auspicious time (muhurta) following the rituals. It involves a ceremony ofinitiation into the characters of thesyllabary.[6] InOdisha, the festival is known asKhadi Chuan (Odia:ଖଡ଼ିଛୁଆଁ) and is mainly celebrated onGanesh Chaturthi andVasant Panchami.[7] TheGnana Saraswati Temple inBasar,Telangana, is a popular temple where this ceremony is held for a large number of children.[8][9]
| Pre-natal |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Childhood | ||
| Educational | ||
| Marriage | ||
| Last | ||
| Related topics | ||
