Vidyarambham at Mookambika Temple

Vidyarambham literally meaning the initiation of knowledge, is a ritual celebrated as part of Navarathri festival — a nine night festival in India. On Vijayadashami day (the last day of Navarathri), people throng temples to initiate learning to their children.

Sri Kollur Mookambika temple located in the state of Karnataka, is very famous and auspicious for this ceremony as the shrine is the abode of Goddess Saraswathi. The learning starts with writing the mantra "Om hari sri ganapataye namah", in which Hari refers to the Lord and Sri, to prosperity.