Vidyarambha (aksharabhyasa) (विद्यारम्भ)

This is the tenth of the sixteen samskaras, the life-cycle ceremonies of Hindu tradition. It is performed at about five years.

What it is

The child's first lesson in writing. A parent or teacher holds the child's hand to write the first letters, in rice or on a slate, after a prayer to Ganesha and Saraswati. It is widely observed on Vasant Panchami or Vijayadashami, and in Kerala as "Vidyarambham".

What is usually done

A prayer to Saraswati, the first letters in rice or on a slate, a gift of a book and a pen.

Why it matters to families

The samskaras mark the stages of a life and bring the family and community together at each of them. Families keep as many as suit their tradition and their circumstances. Many keep the ceremonies that remain popular (naming, first food, first haircut, the thread, wedding and last rites) and treat the rest as a prayer of blessing.

See the full list of sixteen.

Read next

• Upanayana (janeu or sacred thread) (उपनयन)
• Karnavedha (कर्णवेध)

These pages describe common practice in plain words. Customs differ by region, community and family, and your own family's tradition and a priest of your community come first. Dates of auspicious times change every year: ask a priest or use a trusted panchang. Nothing here promises any result.