Thousands of children initiated into the world of letters

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Thousands of children were initiated into the world of letters on the Vijayadasami day on Saturday. Temples, especially those dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, witnessed a heavy rush on the day. Vidyarambham, the initiating ceremony, at the Navaratri mandapam on the Sree Padmanabhaswami temple complex, was held between 8.30 am and 10.30 am. About 450 children were ushered in by a team of scholars led by Prof V S Sharma.

Sarvalankara pooja, pushpalankara pooja and some special rituals were performed at the Navaratri mandapam where the idol of Goddess Saraswati brought from Padmanabhapuram Palace was being worshipped on the festival days.

At 11 am the idol was shifted from the mandapam to a nearby room for “nallirupu” where it will be kept until it is taken back on October 2 at 8.30 am.

Vidyarambham ritual was also held at Chenthitta Devi temple and Aryasala temple where the idols of goddess Munnoottinanga and Lord Kumaraswami respectively were worshipped on the festival days.
The idol of goddess Munnoottinanga from the Suchindram temple and Lord Kumaraswami from Kumarakovil were brought from Tamil Nadu along with the Saraswati idol worshipped at the Navaratri mandapam.

Poojappura Mandapam

Vidyarambham ceremony began at the Saraswati Mandapam, Poojappura at 5.30 am. About 1,400 children attended the ritual. Shashi Tharoor MP, O Rajagopal MLA and Soorya Krishnamoorthy led the ceremony. There was also a sangeetha vidyarambham in which candidates were initiated into music studies.
Lord Kumaraswami’s idol was brought in a colourful procession to the mandapam in the morning. Hundreds participated in the kavadi procession to the mandapam from Chenkalloor temple.

TDB temples

Vidyarambham ceremony was held in several temples owned by the Travancore Devaswom Board in the district. Former chief priest of Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple Vishnu Namboodiri led the ritual at the Hindu Matha Padasala hall of the TDB. Minister Kadakampa lly Surendran inaugurated the event organised by Thidambu, a cultural organisation of TDB employees. The function began after a hearty tribute to late poet ONV Kurup who led the ceremony here for several years. Poet’s wife Sarojini was present.

Children who were initiated by the poet offered floral tributes in front of a portrait of ONV.12 children of the Kerala State Council for Child Welfare home at Thycaud were initiated by CPM veteran VS Achuthanandan at a ceremony held at his home. The kids offered rose flower as dakshina to VS. Singer K J Yesudas led a music initiation ceremony at Tharanginisari School of Music.

Thunchan Smaraka Samithi

Hundreds of children were initiated at the Thunchan Smaraka Samithi at Airanimuttam. Dr D Babu Paul led the ceremony in which children were presented ashtadravyam and palm leaf.  Initiation ceremonies for painting, music, dance, and musical instruments were also held. Twelve priests led the ritual at Madre de Deus church, Vettucaud. 45 children were initiated by a team led by Fr Sajan Antony at the Kurisumala pilgrim centre, Vellarada.