Vidyarambhana

Vidyarambhana or beginning education. Vidya is knowledge and arambhana is commencing. This is usually performed around the ages of four or five years. The ceremony generally involves some mantras of sanctification and the worship of Sarasvati Devi Goddess of learning. Then, either on a chalk board or “scratched out” in a bed of plain rice, the child’s hand is guided in writing his first letters OM A, B, C… or whatever the local script maybe. Sometimes the name of an important family Deity, such as Krishna or Rama is the first word written by the child.