TANISHKA'S VIDYARAMBHAM-(03-10-2014)

Tanishka is extremely blessed to start her 'Vidya' Aaarambham from Murali Mangalathu sir, a famous Malayalam creative writer and has given many contributions to Malayalam language . He is the script writer of the Malayalam - play “Bhooloka Nathan” which describes the divine story of SWAMI Ayyappan.Its been such a blessed occasion to get 'Aashirwads' from all Gurus those who have a Part of Vidyarambham by Dubai Ayyappa Seva Samithi.

The ceremony of Vidyarambham(Vidya means "knowledge",arambham means "beginning')for the children is held on Vijayadashami(the last day of Navaratri)day.Ezhuthiniruthu is the Malayalam name for the ceremony of initiating children into writing.it usually begins with the writing of the mantra "Om Hari Shree Ganapathaye Namah"(ഓം ഹരി ശ്രീ ഗണപതയേ നമഃ)Hari(ഹരി) refers to the Lord,Shree(ശ്രീ),to prosperity.Initially,the mantra is written on sand or in a tray of rice grains.Then,the master would write the mantra on the child's tongue with gold.Writing on sand denotes practice.Writing on grains denotes the acquisition of knowledge,which leads to prosperity.Writing on the tongue with gold invokes the grace of the Goddess of Learning,by which one attains the wealth of true knowledge..

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On the earlier days Vidyarambham was generally carried out in homes. It was the Karnavar or the head of the family who holding the young ones right index finger guided the little finger, to write “Om Hari Shri ganapathaye namah” followed by alphabets in mother tongue, over fistful of rice placed in a large plate. The same mantra was written on the tongue of the youngster with a gold ring. The rice was then converted into sweet payasam and everybody savored the same with relish.
Today however, Home is replaced by temple and mostly temples where goddess Saraswati, who represents knowledge and wisdom, reigns supreme. In the temples the Karnavars role is taken over by the temple priest who after a few more additions to the traditional role performed by the Karnavar is given a handsome Dakshina.

The belief in both the cases being the youngster is now entitled to read and write and all ready to enter the world of letters and the physical world where supposedly knowledge is supreme and knowledge brings prosperity.This tradition is followed assiduously even by all the elders year after year. While it was a Hindu ritual earlier today it is practiced by all the religions. Let Goddess Saraswati bless all the readers on this auspicious day of Vidyarambham and Vijayadasmi.