Overview
- Ceremonies were held across Kerala on Vijayadasami, marking the Navratri finale with the traditional start of learning for young children.
- Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar conducted initiations at Raj Bhavan, which publicly highlighted the event on its official Facebook page.
- Major venues reported heavy turnout, including Panachikkadu Saraswathi Temple, Dakshina Mookambika in North Paravur, Sri Padmanabhaswamy in Thiruvananthapuram, and Guruvayur, with Thunjan Parambu and Kollur Mookambika also drawing crowds.
- Prominent figures such as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Opposition Leader V D Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala, Veena George, and Chandy Oommen participated by guiding children through the initiation.
- Rituals featured the Ganapati mantra and first letters traced on rice or inscribed with a golden ring, with children reacting variously from quiet focus to tears, and media organisations also hosting functions.