Thiruvananthapuram:
Parents in Kerala with toddlers in tow were seen rushing to temples, clubs, media organisations and churches on Vijaydashmi, as Dussehra is called in Thiruvananthapuram, as thousands of tiny tots were initiated into the world of letters.
As part of an age-old practice, Vijayadashmi is considered to be the most auspicious day for initiation of learning as thousands of elders -- men and women -- help toddlers to write their first letter in the most literate state of the country.
Though the pratice was in the past limited to Hindus of the state, over the last decade people have embraced it as a secular and enlightened way, beyond personal religious faith, to start children's education. Now, Christian and Muslim families also participate in the event, albeit at churches and madrasas.
While the Hindu children write 'Hari Sree Ganapathaye Namaha', Christians write 'Sree Yesu Mishihaye Namaha'.
Later, using a gold ring, an elder draws a Malayalam word on the child's tongue. The belief has it that this would purify the child's pronunciation and intonation.
The biggest crowd was witnessed at the Thunachan Paramabu near Thrissur, considered the home of Malayalam litterateur Thunchathu Ezhuthachan, where Jnanpith Award winner M.T. Vasudevan Nair helped 100 kids to write their first letter.
"I am a regular 'teacher' here for the past several years and today I felt extremely happy as a boy came to me and wished me. He said he was initiated into the world of letters by me 12 years ago and he said that he recently won a state award for the best short story. I felt really humbled," said a woman teacher at Thrissur.
The famed Panachikkadu temple, dedicated to Goddess Saraswati - the goddess of learning - situated in Panachikkad in Kottayam district was another busy place.
Across north India, Vijayadashmi was celebrated on Thursday evening with the burning of the effigies of demon king Ravana, son Meghnad, and brother Kumbhkarna to mark the victory of good over evil.