Mass Aksharabhysam to commemorate Moola Nakshatram

Scores of tiny tots were formally initiated into education on the ‘Janma Nakshatram' of Goddess Saraswati on Monday. ‘Sri Trisakthi Peetham’, the only Goddess Maha Kali temple in the city has been the center for organizing the ‘Mass Aksharabhyasam' to the children from many decades.

Many children sat on the lap of their fathers. In some cases, children sat on the lap of their maternal uncles or close relatives and were made to write alphabets for the first time. The temple gave away slates, pencils and schoolbags to the children.

The event started at 7.30 am and went on for five hours, which was considered the auspicious time during the day. Speaking to The Hans India, Temple Head Priest S Narayana Sastry said that Aksharabhyasam or Vidyarambham is a traditional religious function in which the child is given initiation of education so that the child is ready to receive formal education.

The function will traditionally be performed at the age of five. Every year the temple organizes the ritual to give a boost to the culture, he said. “Nowadays, many of the parents are sending their children to schools directly without performing ‘aksharabhyasam', an occasion when children are introduced to the world of alphabets as a first step into the world of knowledge,” he said.

Explaining the significance of the Moola Nakshatram, he said, Sarswati Devi is the goddess of education, literature, and music. One can easily learn with her blessings. Meanwhile, many couple participated in the Kunkuma Pooja for their wellbeing. The temple authorities have distributed photographs of the presiding deity, blouse piece and prasadam to the women devotees.