10 - Vidyarambham Samskara (Aksharabhyas)

Vidya means knowledge and Arambha means beginning. Vidyarambham Samskara is the tenth Samskara of 16 Samskara of Vaidic Tradition. The child is introduced to the world of knowledge through this Samskara.

Vidyarambham is traditionally observed on Vijayadashami day, last day of Navratri. Children are formally introduced into learning of music, dance, languages and other folk arts. It involves a ceremony of initiation into the characters of the syllabary.

Initiation into the world of the written language usually begins with the writing of a mantra or symbol of OM. The child is writes it on sand or in a plate of rice grains under the supervision of a master who conducts the ceremony, usually a Priest or a Guru.