This church has been symbolic of religious and cultural confluence for years and is one of the busiest venues for Vidyarambham.
Some smiling and some in tears, toddlers walked down to the Madre De Deus church today on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram for Vidyarambham - the festival of learning.
Even though Vidyarambham celebrates Hindu goddess Saraswati, the tradition is so widely revered, it has crossed all religious boundaries.
For thousands of such toddlers in Kerala, most barely two years old, it's been a big day - they started learning the alphabets.
Radhika and Tijo are among many Hindus who thronged to the ancient church in Vettacaud for the festival.
This church has been symbolic of religious and cultural confluence for years and is one of the busiest venues for Vidyarambham.
Radhika T, is all smiles, even as her two-year-old tears up. He was made to write his few alphabets by the priest.
"I have got a lot of blessings from this church, so I brought my son here for Vidyarambham hoping that he will be blessed and will work for the better of this country," Radhika said.
Father Nicholas, the Vicar of Madre De Deus Church, said, "Religion is a faith in God. Here those who have faith, find education and those who have education find faith. All of this goes hand in hand, irrespective of religious background."