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Vidyarambham, Your Child's First Letters at a Saraswathi Temple

Sringeri and 4 more places 2–3 days

Vidyarambham, called aksharabhyasam in Telugu and Kannada, is the day a young child writes the first letters before the goddess of learning. Families go to Sringeri, Basara or Kollur, most of all on Vijayadashami.

What happens

  1. Pick the day. Sringeri names Vijayadashami, Lalita Panchami, Akshaya Tritiya, Thursdays and Moola nakshatra days as auspicious, but holds the seva every day.
  2. At Sringeri, pay the seva kanike at the counter, or book online on the day to skip the queue and print the receipt at a kiosk. The seva runs from 8 am to 1 pm.
  3. Guided by an elder or priest, the child writes the first letters on rice grains or sand. Kerala families begin with "Hari Sree Ganapathaye Namaha".
  4. On Vijayadashami the rite can start before dawn, and thousands of families come. Many families also begin music and other arts lessons at Kollur that day.

Sources: sringeri.net, theprint.in · checked 30 Oct 2026

Where families go

  • Sringeri Sharadamba Temple

    Sringeri Sharadamba Temple

    Sringeri

    The Sharada temple holds Aksharabhyasa as a daily seva, and the Peetham publishes its age rule, hours and fee.

    Timings and guide
  • Basara Gnana Saraswati Temple

    Basara Gnana Saraswati Temple

    Basara

    The Devasthanam sells Aksharabyasam tickets on its official seva list, and families come for the goddess of learning.

    Timings and guide
  • Kollur Mookambika Temple

    Kollur Mookambika Temple

    Kollur

    Thousands of families, mostly from Kerala, bring children to Kollur for their first letters on Vijayadashami.

    Timings and guide

Other places families use

  • Koothanur Maha Saraswathy Temple, Koothanur (Tamil Nadu): A temple to Maha Saraswathy where pupils pray before exams or school admission, and Vijayadashami is a main festival.
  • Panachikkadu Saraswathi Temple, Panachikkadu (Kerala): One of Kerala's main vidyarambham temples; on Vijayadashami 2026 the rite began after the shrine opened at 3:30 am.

Sources: karaikal.gov.in, theprint.in · checked 30 Oct 2026

When to go

Most families choose Vijayadashami, the last day of Navaratri. Sringeri holds Aksharabhyasa on all days, so a quieter weekday also works.

DateWhatDetails
9 Oct 2027SatVijayadashami 2027Panchangams for Mangaluru put Vijayadashami on Saturday 9 Oct 2027; Dashami runs from 9:01 am on 9 Oct to 11:40 am on 10 Oct.
10 Oct 2027SunVidyarambham 2027Drik Panchang gives Sunday 10 Oct 2027 as the vidyarambham day for Mangaluru, when Dashami holds at sunrise. Ask your temple which morning it uses.

Sources: sringeri.net, drikpanchang.com, drikpanchang.com · checked 30 Oct 2026

Before you go

  • Good to knowSringeri accepts a child who can understand and speak, from about 2½ to 5 years old.
  • BookingSringeri needs no advance booking. Its Aksharabhyasa page gives a seva kanike of ₹500, paid at the temple counter or on the official seva site on the day.
  • BookingBasara's official seva list gives ₹150 for Aksharabyasam and ₹1,000 for Special Aksharabyasam. It lists no timing for the rite; confirm at the Devasthanam.
  • BookingKarnataka Tourism says Kollur offers online pooja services through its own website. We could not confirm Kollur's vidyarambham booking or fee; check with the temple.

Rituals, fees and timings are set by each temple. Where the temple sells a seva or ticket, book it only on its official channel.

Sources: sringeri.net, basaratemple.telangana.gov.in, karnatakatourism.org · checked 30 Oct 2026

Questions Families Ask

Can I book Sringeri aksharabhyasa online?

No advance booking is needed. On the day, you can book on Sringeri's official seva site to skip the counter queue, then print the receipt at a kiosk near the seva counters.

What are the Basara aksharabhyasam timings and fees?

Basara's official seva list gives the Aksharabyasam and Special Aksharabyasam fees but no timing. See our Basara temple page for darshan hours and confirm the rite's timing at the Devasthanam.

What is the vidyarambham 2027 date?

Panchangams put Vijayadashami on 9 October 2027, and Drik Panchang gives 10 October as the vidyarambham day for Mangaluru. Ask your temple which morning it holds the rite.

What is the right age for vidyarambham?

Sringeri accepts a child from about 2½ to 5 years who can understand and speak.

Is Koothanur a Saraswathi temple in Tamil Nadu?

Yes. Koothanur's temple is dedicated to Maha Saraswathy, and pupils pray there before exams or school admission. Vijayadashami is one of its main festivals.

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