Initiation into the world of letters.

Every year during Navaratri festival, which sparks massive celebrations across the country, the high point of the nine-day long fete in Kerala is the Vidyarambham ceremony on Vijaya dashami Day observed on the concluding day of the festival. 

In a highly literate state like ours that puts a high premium on education, Vidyarambham - to propitiate Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning and Arts - is accorded prime importance. On this auspicious day, several thousand children are initiated into the world of letters at venues set up for the purpose at places of worship.

Kerala's time-tested secular ethos which has illustrated the practical example of happy coexistence of people belonging to multiple faiths to the rest of the world, ensures that not only temples but churches and mosques, too, become venues for Vidyarambham.

A fresh start

This year, though, Vidyarambham has a special significance. The ceremony will be held even as the state braces for the reopening of schools on 01 Nov after the Covid-forced closure since Mar '20. So, in a sense, Vidyarambham symbolises the commencement of the learning process. The minor difference is that it will be a recommencement rather. Besides, Vidyarambham ceremony will be held in public unlike last year when it was mostly an 'at home' affair on account of the pandemic spread. But to prevent people thronging the Vidyarambham venues, tokens will be issued and a virtual queue system followed.

Despite the easing of the pandemic situation, authorities have warned the public against letting down their guard to prevent a new spike in Covid cases.

The significance

Chanting Om Hari Sree Ganapathaye Nama Avighnamastu during the initiation is loaded with significance.

Similarly, writing Hari Sree on the tongues of infants using a golden writing instrument tipped with honey and the guru holding the hand of the infant while guiding him to the world of letters are rich in significance.

According to scholars, the chant Om Hari Sree Ganapathaye Nama Avighnamastu is believed to include all 51 Devanagari letters that comprise the Goddess of Sound, Nadarupini Devi. As for inscribing the tongue with the honey-tipped gold writing instrument, the belief is whatever the child says when it grows up will become as precious as gold. And the practice of getting the guru to initiate the child into the world of letters is based on the belief that knowledge can serve its full purpose only when it is passed on by the teacher.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores, the washing machinex and was ready by 10.

The maid had come by and she went about her work as we did our work of reading/watching the television.

A quiet evening!