THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, INDIA, October 6, 2010 (expressbuzz): In a ceremony called “Vidyarambham”, thousands of tiny tots in Kerala were Thursday initiated into the world of learning – originally a Hindu practice that has now become popular even among the state’s Christians.
Children thronged temples, churches, clubs and other places. The ceremony saw academics, litterateurs, teachers and even politicians hold the hands of the young ones to help them write Malayalam letters on a plate of rice or on sand, asking Goddess Sarasvati for blessings.
Hindus write “Hari Sree Ganapathaye Namaha” in praise of Lord Ganesha, Lord of Beginnings. Then, using a gold ring, a Malayalam word is written on the child’s tongue by those who helped the child write.
Among the shrines which see big crowds is the Saraswathy temple, situated at Panachikkadu in Kottayam district. This temple is also known as the ‘Dakshina’ Mookambika Temple and every year the numbers have been going up.