The Hindu festival Navaratri, dedicated to Goddess Durga and her triumph over the demon Mahishasura, starts today and lasts nine days (Sept 22 to Oct 2)
In Kerala, the festival is majorly linked to vidyarambham, or initiation of education and learning classical arts. Here are some of the top Navaratri destinations of Kerala.
The temple, mentioned in Kottarathil Shankunni's book Aithihyamala, is renowned for its Vidyarambham on the Vijayadashami day. The ceremony is held here on other days too.
The temple, located near Cochin Airport, is believed to be where the Hindu philosopher Adi Shankara wrote his first letters. The Vidyarambham ceremony can be conducted here too, every day.
The Chottanikkara Devi Temple in Kochi regularly initiates thousands of children to education on Vijayadashami day.
It is the birthplace of Thunchathu Ezhuthachan, the father of the Malayalam language. Though not connected to any place of worship, it's considered auspicious for vidyarambham.