Why is Vidyarambham celebrated? For Malayalis, Vidyarambham is an auspicious day on which the elders and children mark the day by writing the sacred words, "Harisree Ganapathayeh Namaha."
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What is the concept of Vidyarambham?
The observance of this ritual may differ from region to region, community to community and family to family. Whatever I share here is based on how Vidyarambham is celebrated in my home. [READ: What to Write During Vidyarambham]
Vidyarambham: How Malayalis observe this sacred day
In families where the children are gearing up to enter pre-school or play school and are not yet ready to join the formal schooling system, Vidyarambham marks an important occasion for an elder to introduce them to the world of "vidya" or "knowledge." The words ''Harisree Ganapathayeh Namaha" are written on the child's tongue by the grandparent, an elder or parent. [READ: Significance of Vidyarambham]
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Vidyarambham: Why it matters
An interesting aspect of Vidyarambham ceremony lies in the relationship with the person who is marking the words for the first time on the child's tongue. That person will always have a symbolic importance in the child's life.
In families where the children are gearing up to enter pre-school or play school and are not yet ready to join the formal schooling system, Vidyarambham marks an important occasion for an elder to introduce them to the world of "vidya" or "knowledge." The words ''Harisree Ganapathayeh Namaha" are written on the child's tongue by the grandparent, an elder or parent. [READ: Significance of Vidyarambham]
Vidyarambham: Why it matters
An interesting aspect of Vidyarambham ceremony lies in the relationship with the person who is marking the words for the first time on the child's tongue. That person will always have a symbolic importance in the child's life.
For instance, children who have had their Vidyarambham conducted by my father tend to seek his blessings when they get a new job or something auspicious happens in their life. The relationship is considered sacred and lasts a lifetime, which is why in most families the ceremony is conducted by a grandparent or the parent.
Are Vijayadashami and Vidyarambham the same?
No, these are two different festivals altogether. Vijayadashami, also known as Dussehra, marks the last day, of Navaratri, namely the tenth. The festival marks the triumph of good over evil as Maa Durga slays Mahisasura.
Vidyarambham pertains to an age-old tradition which is performed for children between the ages of two and four, whereby the ritual marks their entry into the world of learning and knowledge by writing the words, "Om Hari Sri Ganapataye Namah' first on the child's tongue and thereafter on a plate with rice grains sprinkled with turmeric.
This ceremony is usually performed by a close family member such as father, grandfather or uncle and this ceremony is called Vidyarambham.
Vidyarambham: What's so nostalgic about it?
Vidyarambham is also a special "bonding" day when we hold our little ones close to our hearts, seat them beside us and we hold their fingers in our own. We know that we cannot control their destiny but can only guide them as far as they are willing to let us do so.
Can we do Vidyarambham at home?
Yes, Vidyarambham can be conducted at home.
In a small plate or vessel filled with raw rice grains, a dash of turmeric and kumkum, we put their little fingers into it and they are as delighted as we are, to feel this unique experience, to set in motion a different feel and energy into the many tiny grains of rice beneath their fingers.
Then we whisper and make them write,"Hari sree ganapathayeh namaha."
Then we whisper and make them write,"Hari sree ganapathayeh namaha."
On this auspicious day, we teach our children to always invoke the divine energy within us to add grace to our efforts and bless us with the results that we aspire to attain.
As I held my son's fingers in mine and wrote in Malayalam, "Hari Sree Ganapathayeh Namaha," I felt like a child.
As though I had stepped back in time, my parents' embrace held me close, their fingers holding mine as they taught me to write.
Vidyarambham is such a beautiful experience and every Malayali knows how humbling and strangely empowering it feels.
Perhaps the quest for knowledge begins here - in knowing and recognizing - there is a vast Universe to make sense of, a greater Divine energy that propels us to attain everything we aim to grasp and accompanied by an awareness that we have a long, long way to go before we can finally say, "Been there, done that. I know it all."
Now it's your turn - how do you celebrate Navarathri? Do you have special traditions and customs in your family just like the one that I have shared?
Comments
Happy Diwali wishes by the way.
@Ravanan - Intriguing name there! Thanks for reading and commenting.