Aksharaabhyaasam
Aksharaabhyasam or Akshara abhyaasam or Vidyaarambham or Akshara arambham is a traditional religious function in which the child is given initiation of education so that the child is ready to receive formal education. This ritual involves Goddess Saraswati puja.[1][2]
This ritual very common in Hindu families of Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Akshara means 'letters/alphabets' and Abhyasam means 'practice'. Together they mean "the study of practical letters". The ceremony is performed by the Maternal Uncle (Mother's brother)/ Father/ Paternal Uncle (Father's brother) along with the family keeping the child in his lap holding the child's right-hand forefinger and make the child write the Om followed by the panchaakshari mantra 'Namah Shivayaah'. In Kerala Om Harisree Ganapathaye Namah mantra is used.
Om symbol which is treated as a Beejaakshar (Beeja in Sanskrit means the origin). Gnana Saraswati Temple in Basar, Telangana is a popular temple where such ceremonies are held in large numbers.[3][4]
See alsoEdit
ReferencesEdit
- ↑ "Shopping month is here". The Hindu. 13 July 2009. Archived from the original on 17 July 2009. Retrieved 6 February 2012.
- ↑ P. Ram Mohan (12 February 2008). "Devotees put to hardship at Basar". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 16 February 2008. Retrieved 6 February 2012.
- ↑ "`Aksharabhyasam' launched". The Hindu. 24 January 2007. Archived from the original on 21 January 2008. Retrieved 6 February 2012.
- ↑ "Pilgrims throng Basar on Vasantha Panchami". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012. Retrieved 6 February 2012.
External linksEdit
Basara Temple
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