Vidyarambham 2026 Kerala: District-Wise Guide

Quick answer: In Kerala, Vijayadashami and Vidyarambham (Ezhuthiniruthu), when children write their first letters, fall on Wednesday 21 October 2026, as announced by Kerala temples and almanacs, with Pooja Veppu on Sunday 18 October. All-India calendars such as Drik Panchang show Vijayadashami on Tuesday 20 October; follow your temple. This page goes district by district through the Vidyarambham and Navaratri arrangements we could verify.

Last updated: 10 October 2026. This page covers all 14 districts of Kerala, with the 2026 arrangements and events we could verify (21 items) and the district's best-documented Dussehra traditions. Most neighbourhood and village celebrations are never announced online, so a district with no listed items still celebrates.

For dates, Vijay Muhurat timings and the meaning of the rituals, see our Dussehra 2026 in Kerala guide. This page is the district-by-district companion.

Dussehra 2026 dates in Kerala

Navaratri begins: Sunday 11 October 2026.
Pooja Veppu: Sunday 18 October 2026 at most temples; Ayudha Puja follows on Mahanavami.
Vijayadashami, Pooja Eduppu and Vidyarambham: Wednesday 21 October 2026 in Kerala (Drik Panchang's all-India date is Tuesday 20 October); follow the temple's announced date and timings.

How Kerala celebrates

In Kerala, Navaratri is above all a festival of Saraswati and learning. Books and tools are placed for worship (Pooja Veppu), Ayudha Puja honours tools and vehicles, and on Vijayadashami the books are taken back (Pooja Eduppu) and young children are initiated into writing in Vidyarambham, at temples, cultural centres and homes. Some temples, such as Panachikkadu, are especially known for Vidyarambham.

Kerala district by district

Districts are listed as on the state government's current list (source). Items are labelled as an official listing, a news report, or completed. Confirm timings with the organiser before you travel.

Thiruvananthapuram

Headquarters: Thiruvananthapuram.

Every year the idols of Saraswathi from Thevarakettu (Padmanabhapuram Palace), Kumaraswamy from Kumaracoil and Munnuditha Nangai from Suchindram are taken in a ceremonial procession to Thiruvananthapuram for Navaratri. (source)

Navaratri idol procession from Padmanabhapuram Palace to Thiruvananthapuram (Thiruvananthapuram (from Padmanabhapuram, Kanniyakumari district, TN); Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple / Navaratri Mandapam, East Fort; Began 9 Oct 2026; enters Kerala at Kaliyikkavila 10 Oct; overnight at Neyyattinkara Sree Krishna Swamy Temple; reaches Navaratri Mandapam in front of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple around 6.30 pm on 11 Oct). Organiser: Kerala Devaswom Department, Travancore Devaswom Board, district administration (with Tamil Nadu HR&CE). The Times of India, news report.
Traffic restrictions for Navaratri procession (Thiruvananthapuram city; Pallichal – Karamana – Killipalam – East Fort route; Sun 11 Oct 2026, regulations 11 am to 8 pm (advisory from 10 am); procession reaches Pallichal about 11 am and Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple about 7 pm). Organiser: Thiruvananthapuram City Police. Samayam Malayalam, official listing.
Navaratri pooja at Navaratri Mandapam, Aryasala and Chenthitta temples (Thiruvananthapuram (Fort); Navaratri Mandapam (Kottakkakam), Aryasala Devi Temple, Chenthitta Devi Temple; Navaratri pujas 12 to 21 Oct 2026; Pooja eduppu on 21 Oct). Organiser: Travancore Devaswom Board / Kerala Devaswom Department. Deshabhimani, news report.
Poojappura Saraswathi Mandapam Navaratri festival with Vidyarambham and Kavadi procession (Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram; Saraswathi Mandapam, Poojappura (three venues in Poojappura); 11-day festival opening evening of 11 Oct, concluding 21 Oct 2026; Vidyarambham on concluding day followed by Kavadi procession). Organiser: Janakeeya Samithi. The Times of India, news report.
Vidyarambham at Lok Bhavan (Thiruvananthapuram; Lok Bhavan (Governor's residence); 21 Oct 2026, morning; register before 12 Oct (first 50 children); phone 0471-2721100). Organiser: Kerala Lok Bhavan. Samayam Malayalam, official listing.
Kerala Kaumudi Vidyarambham (Venpalavattom, Thiruvananthapuram; Venpalavattom Sree Bhagavathy Temple premises; 21 Oct 2026; registration open (9645089898, 0471 7117000)). Organiser: Kerala Kaumudi and Venpalavattom Sree Bhagavathy Temple committee. Kerala Kaumudi, official listing.

Kollam

Headquarters: Kollam.

Sharada Madom Navaratri Mahotsavam and Vidyarambham (Kollam; 11 Oct to 21 Oct 2026; Vidyarambham on Vijayadashami 21 Oct; advance registration (9349716433, 9447753588, 9188895508)). Organiser: SN Trust, Kerala Kaumudi and Sharada Madom advisory committee. Kerala Kaumudi, official listing.
Navaratri celebrations at Art of Living Kollam ashram (Art of Living Kollam Ashram; 11 Oct to 21 Oct 2026). Organiser: Art of Living Kollam Ashram. Kerala Kaumudi, official listing.
Devi Bhagavatha Navaha Yajnam and Navaratri pooja (Vellimon (Cherumood); Vlaveth Sree Mahabhagavathy Temple; 11 Oct to 21 Oct 2026; opening function 11 Oct 6 pm). Organiser: Temple / SNDP branch. Kerala Kaumudi, official listing.
Navaratri Mahotsavam with Poojaveppu and Vidyarambham (Ponmana, Chavara; Kattil Mekkathil Devi Temple; 11 Oct to 21 Oct 2026; Poojaveppu 18 Oct, Durgashtami 19, Mahanavami 20, Vijayadashami pooja eduppu and Vidyarambham 21 Oct from 7 am). Organiser: Kattil Mekkathil Devi Temple. Kerala Kaumudi, official listing.

Pathanamthitta

Headquarters: Pathanamthitta.

Navaratri festival – Devi Bhagavatha Navaha Yajnam (Ambayagam) with Chandika Homam (Ranni (Thottamon); Thottamonkavu Bhagavathy Temple; Began Fri 9 Oct 2026). Organiser: Thottamonkavu Bhagavathy Temple. Mathrubhumi, news report.

Alappuzha

Headquarters: Alappuzha.

Kanichukulangara temple Navaratri festival with Vidyarambham (Kanichukulangara Temple; Lamp lighting Sun 11 Oct night after deeparadhana; music concerts 12–20 Oct (7 pm); Vidyarambham 21 Oct). Organiser: Kanichukulangara Devaswom. Mathrubhumi, official listing.
Navaratri celebrations and 5th Sopana Sangeetholsavam (Thuravoor (Kizhakke Chammanad); Kizhakke Chammanad Bhagavathy Temple; 10 days from Sun 11 Oct 2026, 7 pm; concludes 21 Oct noon). Organiser: Temple Devaswom. Mathrubhumi, official listing.

Kottayam

Headquarters: Kottayam.

Panachikkadu Temple in Kottayam district, known as Dakshina Mookambika, is dedicated to Saraswati and celebrates Navaratri as its main festival. (source)

Panachikkadu Dakshina Mookambika Navaratri festival and Vidyarambham (Panachikkadu Dakshina Mookambika (Saraswathi) Temple; Festival from 7 to 21 (article body says 'September 7', headline says lamp lit on the 7th; published 5 Oct 2026); Vidyarambham begins after pooja eduppu on Vijayadashami 21 Oct; coupons bookable in advance). Organiser: Temple. Manorama, official listing.
Navaratri Sangeetholsavam, Poojaveppu and Vidyarambham (Kangazha (Pathanad); Padinjaremana Sree Mahaparashakthi Bhadravilakku Karmasthanam; 11 Oct to 21 Oct 2026). Organiser: Bhadravilakku Karmasthanam. Kerala Kaumudi, official listing.
Navaratri Mahotsavam with Poojaveppu, Ayudha Puja and Vidyarambham (Vaikaprayar; Thottaramittam Mahadevi Temple; 13 Oct to 21 Oct 2026; Poojaveppu 18 Oct from 5.30 pm; Ayudha puja 20 Oct; Vidyarambha pooja 21 Oct 7 am). Organiser: Thottaramittam Mahadevi Temple. Kerala Kaumudi, official listing.

Idukki

Headquarters: Painavu.

No public 2026 announcement found in the sources we checked on 10 October 2026. Check the district administration's website, the municipal body and the district editions of local newspapers closer to the festival.

Ernakulam

Headquarters: Kakkanad.

At the Dakshina Mookambika Temple, North Paravur, books are placed before Saraswati on Durgashtami and the Ezhuthiniruthu (Vidyarambham) ceremony is held on Vijayadashami morning in a special mandapam. (source)

Thrissur

Headquarters: Thrissur.

Palakkad

Headquarters: Palakkad.

Sharan Navratri at Shree Sharadambal Temple (Palakkad; 10 Oct to 21 Oct 2026 (12 days); Mahabhishekam on 10 Oct morning). Organiser: Shree Sharadambal Temple. The Hindu, news report.

Malappuram

Headquarters: Malappuram.

The annual Vidyarambham ceremony on Vijayadashami at Thunchan Parambu, Tirur, birthplace of Thunjath Ezhuthachan, is of great importance. (source)

Thrikkandiyur Navaratri Mahotsavam – Saraswathi award ceremony (Tirur; Ambalakkulangara Devi Temple, Tirur; 19 Oct 2026, 6 pm). Organiser: Sanathana Dharma Vedi. Mathrubhumi, news report.

Kozhikode

Headquarters: Kozhikode.

Navaratri Sargotsavam (Kozhikode (Chalappuram); Kesari Bhavan, Chalappuram; 9 Oct to 21 Oct 2026; Mahasaraswatha Puja 5.30 pm 9 Oct; formal inauguration 5.30 pm 11 Oct; cultural conference 5 pm 16 Oct). Organiser: Navaratri Sargotsavam festival committee. The Hindu, news report.

Wayanad

Headquarters: Kalpetta.

Kannur

Headquarters: Kannur.

Kannur Dussehra (Kannur Collectorate ground; 12 Oct to 21 Oct 2026; drone show on concluding day). Organiser: Kannur Corporation. The Hindu, news report.
Kottiyur Shakthigatha Mohiniyattam (Navaratri programme) (Kannur (Thalap); Thalap Sundareswara Temple; 12 Oct 2026, 7.30 pm). Organiser: Burnassery Mudra Kalakshetram. Deshabhimani, news report.

Kasaragod

Headquarters: Kasaragod.

How to find celebrations near you

District administration and police: district websites and police social media post festival arrangements and traffic advisories in the days before Dussehra.
Municipal bodies: corporations and municipalities prepare grounds, immersion points and lighting, and announce them locally.
Temples and committees: temple boards, Ramlila committees and puja committees publish their own schedules, often on notice boards and social media.
Local newspapers: district editions carry the final venue and timing details in the last week before the festival.

Frequently asked questions

When is Vidyarambham 2026 in Kerala?

Wednesday 21 October 2026, as announced by Kerala temples and almanacs, including Panachikkadu (from 4 AM). the all-India date in Drik Panchang is Tuesday 20 October; check the temple you plan to visit for its timings.

Do I need to register for Vidyarambham?

Many temples and cultural centres ask families to register in advance. Check each temple's or centre's announcement.

What is Pooja Veppu?

The placing of books, instruments and tools before the Goddess for worship during the last days of Navaratri; they are taken back on Vijayadashami (Pooja Eduppu).

Is Ravan Dahan part of Kerala's Navaratri?

Not traditionally. Kerala's Navaratri centres on Saraswati, learning and Vidyarambham.

Editor's note

Editor's note (10 October 2026): We built this district guide from pages we opened on 10 October 2026: state and district government sites, temple and organiser pages, and reputable news reports. We list an event only when the page is clearly about 2026. We do not publish ticket prices, crowd figures, performers' or politicians' names. Festival dates follow Drik Panchang for India unless a source states a local date. Details change, so please confirm with the organiser or district administration.