THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: People in the state celebrated Vijayadasami today with thousands of tiny tots initiated into the world of letters marking the culmination of the annual Navratri festival. Most of the children sat for ezhuthiniruthu, the initiation ceremony at their homes due to the fear of COVID-19. The ceremony was arranged in temples and cultural centres with strict restrictions. The health department had earlier directed to avoid the ceremony at public places.

Children came with their parents at Kottayam Panachikad temple early morning for the ceremony. The tantri of the temple started the initiation ceremony. Only a few people were there at the temple. The ceremony was held at the Attukal Temple, Poojappura Saraswathy Mandapam in Thiruvananthapuram, Sharkara Temple, Pandalam Navaratri Mandapam etc. The ceremony was held following strictly COVID protocol. In many places only those who have booked online were able to attend the ceremony.

Vijayadasami has been observed as the day of vidyarambham, the beginning of learning. There were no initiation ceremony at Tirur Thunchan Parambu, the birth place of father of Malayalam language. There was no rush here. Only some students and their parents came to get their books kept for pooja. Usually a heavy turnout is witnessed here.