Thiruvananthapuram, 20 Oct (H.S.):

Major temples in Keralam are witnessing heavy crowds during the Navaratri festival, with elaborate arrangements being made for Vidyarambham, the ceremony introducing children to the world of letters.

Kollur Mookambika Temple in Karnataka, a preferred destination for Malayali families observing the ritual, will open at 3 am. Children will trace their first letters at the Saraswati Mandapam and its adjoining verandah under the guidance of chief priest Ramachandra Adiga.

At Chottanikkara Temple, the initiation ceremony will begin after the Pantheeradi pooja, conducted by tantri Erur Puliyannur Dileepan Namboothiripad, and Saraswati pooja led by chief priests N. V. Krishnan Namboothiri and C. L. Satheesh Namboothiri.

Sixteen Vedic priests will guide children at specially arranged seating areas near the temple’s eastern entrance. Devaswom authorities said children would receive consecrated Saraswatharishtam, panchamritam and fruit after the ceremony.

At Thunchanparambu in Tirur, ceremonies will begin in the early hours. Prominent figures from literary and cultural circles, along with traditional teachers, will help children take their first steps into learning by tracing the customary invocation on their tongues.

Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple will begin Vidyarambham at 7 am, following the early-morning seeveli procession and Saraswati pooja. The ceremony will take place at the northern entrance pavilion.

At Paravur Dakshina Mookambika Temple, Travancore Devaswom Deputy Commissioner K. Indukumari will inaugurate the proceedings. Teachers selected jointly by the Devaswom and the temple advisory committee will introduce children to their first letters.

Thiruvullakkavu Temple at Cherpu is also preparing for a substantial turnout. The shrine conducts initiation ceremonies throughout the year, except on Mahanavami and the Atham star day in the Malayalam month of Meenam.

The arrangements across these centres reflect the importance families attach to Vidyarambham, with temples and cultural institutions serving as gathering places for children beginning their educational journey through a tradition closely associated with worship, knowledge and learning.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman