Vidyāraṃbhaṃ

[2][3] It is popular in the South Indian states of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.

The ceremony is intended to introduce young children into the world of knowledge, letters, and the process of learning.

This is also considered a day when the goddess of learning, Saraswati, and teachers (gurus) must be revered by giving gurudakshina.

This usually consists of a betel leaf, areca nut, along with a small token of money and a new piece of clothing - a dhoti or sari.

[6] In Odisha, the festival is known as Khadi Chuan (Odia: ଖଡ଼ିଛୁଆଁ) and is mainly celebrated on Ganesh Chaturthi and Vasant Panchami.

A Malayali girl sits with a Brahmin before the vidyarambham ceremony on Navaratri
The Akshara Abhyasam is dedicated to Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of learning.