Today is Vijayadashami, the tenth day of Navarathri. This is the day that Shakti is believed to have triumphed over the evil demon Mahishasura. The word Vijaya means victory. This day is symbolic of victory and is considered a good day to start a new venture, including the journey of learning. Aksharabhyasam is the ritual which is the beginning of formal studies. The word Akshara means letters and Abyasam means practice. This function is the child's first introduction to the world of reading and writing. This function was traditionally performed around the age of five. Today however with the focus on early education, learning begins even before the age of three.
We had plans to visit the temple(nearest one is 2hrs drive) for Putti's Aksharabhyasa, but since all three were down with viral fever, decided to avoid the travel and do it at home. A small pooja was done and prayed the gods to help our Putti complete her education without a hitch.
Rice is spread on a plate and Putti sat on her father's lap. Holding her fingers, "Om" was written on the rice first followed by the her name
