Aksharaabhyaasam

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Aksharaaabhyasam or Akshara abhyaasam or Vidyaarambham 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, 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 (Mothers brothers)/ Father/ Paternal Uncle 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'.

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]

This ceremony can be performed in temples and at the residence also.

See also

• Religious initiation rites

References

External links

• A Blog on Akshara abyasam

  Basara Temple