CM Pinarayi marks Vijayadashami with Vidyarambham for five girls
Synopsis
On Vijayadashami 2026, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan participated in the Vidyarambham ceremony, initiating five young girls into learning — a traditional Kerala ritual that marks the festival as a celebration of literacy and knowledge as much as victory over evil.
Key Takeaways
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan participated in the Vidyarambham ceremony on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 .
He initiated five young girls into the world of letters as part of the ceremony.
Vijayadashami (the tenth day of Navratri) is the traditional occasion for Vidyarambham in Kerala, when children write their first letters.
Mahanavami , the ninth day of Navratri, was observed a day earlier and is dedicated to Goddess Durga .
Vidyarambham reflects Kerala's deep cultural emphasis on literacy as a lived tradition, not just a policy goal.
Participation by public figures in Vidyarambham ceremonies is a recurring feature of Kerala's festival calendar.
Five little girls picked up a stylus and traced their first letters on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 — and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was there to guide their hands. In a gesture steeped in centuries of tradition, the Chief Minister participated in the Vidyarambham ceremony on the occasion of Mahanavami and Vijayadashami, initiating the children into the world of letters.
What Vidyarambham means in Kerala
Vijayadashami — the tenth day of the Navratri cycle, widely celebrated elsewhere as Dussehra — carries a distinct character in Kerala. The day is consecrated to learning. Families bring toddlers, often as young as two or three, to temples or the homes of scholars, where an elder guides a small finger to write the first syllable of the Malayalam script in a tray of raw rice or sand. The ritual is called Vidyarambham, literally 'the beginning of knowledge.' It sits at the heart of the state's long-held cultural compact with literacy.
Mahanavami, the ninth day of Navratri observed the day before, is dedicated to Goddess Durga and sets the spiritual mood that flows into the learning ceremony on the tenth day. Together, the two days form a cultural hinge between the sacred and the scholarly.
Five girls, one enduring ritual
CM Vijayan described the moment as a joy — 'I had the joy of initiating five little girls into the world of letters' — framing the act not as a ceremonial duty but as a personal privilege. His message extended the spirit of the occasion outward: 'May the light of knowledge reach everyone, opening new horizons of hope and inspiring dreams for a brighter future.'
Public figures joining Vidyarambham ceremonies is a recurring feature of Kerala's festival calendar. The participation of a sitting Chief Minister carries added weight, reinforcing the state's self-image as a society that treats literacy not merely as a policy target but as a living cultural value.
Kerala's literacy identity on display
Kerala has long led India on literacy indicators, and Vidyarambham is both a symbol and a root of that identity. The ceremony reminds an entire state — every year, on the same day — that learning is not a government programme. It is a rite of passage, older than any policy, renewed with each child who draws a first letter in the rice.
On a day that marks the victory of good over evil, CM Vijayan chose knowledge as his metaphor for that victory — a quiet but pointed choice.
Point of View
Being present at the moment a child draws her first letter is messaging that no policy document can replicate. The choice to specifically initiate five girls also echoes the broader national conversation around gender equity in education, even if unstated. Over successive festival cycles, such participation cements the perception that the Kerala model is cultural and civilisational, not merely administrative.
NationPress
21 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vidyarambham and when is it celebrated in Kerala?
Vidyarambham is a traditional Kerala ceremony in which young children are initiated into learning by writing their first letters, typically on Vijayadashami — the tenth day of Navratri. It is one of Kerala's most enduring cultural practices tied to the state's emphasis on literacy.
What did CM Pinarayi Vijayan do on Vijayadashami 2026?
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan participated in the Vidyarambham ceremony on October 21, 2026 , initiating five young girls into the world of letters and extending festival greetings on Mahanavami and Vijayadashami.
What is the difference between Mahanavami and Vijayadashami?
Mahanavami is the ninth day of Navratri, observed with rituals dedicated to Goddess Durga . Vijayadashami is the tenth and final day, marking the victory of good over evil and known in Kerala as the auspicious day for the Vidyarambham learning ceremony.
Why is Vijayadashami associated with education in Kerala?
In Kerala, Vijayadashami is considered the most auspicious day to begin learning. The Vidyarambham ceremony — where a child writes their first letters guided by an elder — has been performed on this day for centuries, reflecting the state's deep cultural connection between the sacred and the scholarly.
Is it common for Kerala politicians to attend Vidyarambham ceremonies?
Yes. Participation by public figures, including the Chief Minister, in Vidyarambham ceremonies on Vijayadashami is a recurring custom in Kerala, reinforcing the state's cultural identity around literacy and education.
