First steps into world of learning; Vidyarambham ceremony begins in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In an auspicious beginning to formal education, thousands of young children participated in the Vidyarambham ceremony held across the state on Wednesday. A heavy rush was observed at temples across the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram.

The *Vidyarambham* ceremony, jointly organised by *Kerala Kaumudi* and the Venpalavattom Sree Bhagavathi Temple Committee, is taking place on the temple premises. Serving as mentors (*acharyas*) for the event are Dr M. Chandradathan (former Director of VSSC), Dr M. Marthanda Pillai (prominent neurosurgeon), Prof. Achuthsankar S. Nair (Vice-Chairman of the Kerala State Higher Education Council), singer Rajalakshmi, and industrialist Dr Biju Ramesh.

Kollur Mookambika Temple is witnessing an unusual turnout of devotees on the auspicious day. At Thunchan Parambu in Tirur, the *Vidyarambham* (initiation into learning) ceremonies began at 5:30 AM. At the Panachikkad Temple in Kottayam, the *Vidyarambham* rituals commenced as early as 4:00 AM. In Thiruvananthapuram, there is a heavy turnout at the Saraswati Mandapams—both at Poojappura and in front of the Padmanabhaswamy Temple—for the *Aksharabhyasam* (the ritual of writing the first letters).

In Poojappura, Chandy Oommen MLA guided children into the world of letters while Chief Minister V D Satheesan served as a mentor to children at his office in Paravur.