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Valmiki Jayanti 2024: Date, History, Significance, Importance

Published Date: 04-Dec-2022

The festival of Valmiki Jayanti is observed as the birth anniversary of Maharishi Valmiki, who wrote the great Hindu epic Ramayana. According to the Hindu calendar, it falls on the full moon day of the month of Ashwin, which corresponds to September-October in the Gregorian calendar. Also referred to as Pragat Diwas, Valmiki Jayanti will be celebrated on 17th October (Thursday) in 2024.

What is Pargat Diwas?

Valmiki Jayanti is also known as Pargat Diwas where Pargat means birth. Valmiki Jayanti is celebrated to offer tribute to the great sage and his teachings of values and social justice. The exact date and time of Valmiki’s birth are unknown, but he is believed to have lived around 500 BC.

Valmiki Jayanti History and Significance

Valmiki Jayanti 2023 | Valmiki Jayanti History

Valmiki Jayanti 2024 | Valmiki Jayanti History

History

The story goes that Maharishi Valmiki met Lord Rama during his exile. He also rescued Sita after Lord Rama banished her from the kingdom of Ayodhya and provided her shelter. It was in his ashram that she gave birth to the twins, Luv and Kush. During their childhood, the great sage became their instructor and taught them Ramayana which contains 24,000 verses (shlokas) and 7 cantos (kandas).

There is another popular belief that Valmiki was a highway dacoit named Ratnakar in his early years. He used to rob and kill people until the day he met Narad Muni, who transformed him into an ardent devotee of Lord Rama. After meditating for years, a divine voice declared his penance successful and bestowed him with the name Valmiki. He was later revered as Adi Kavi for being the first poet of Sanskrit Literature. His works, especially the great epic, are recited to date by Hindu devotees.

  1. Role in Ramayana: In the Ramayana written by Valmiki, there is a mention of Lord Rama killing Ravana which is celebrated as Dussehra, and the return of Lord Rama from exile which is celebrated as Diwali.
  2. Role in Mahabharata: After the battle in Mahabharata, Valmiki was one of the sages who visited Yudhisthira. Valmiki told Yudhisthira that praying to Shiva has a lot of benefits including the cleansing of the sins.
  3. The First Shloka by Valmiki: Valmiki is also known as ‘Adi Kavi’ or the first poet and he wrote the first ever shloka and the first ever poem called ‘Ramayana’ with 24,000 verses. The first ever shloka by Valmiki was in grief and rage at a hunter who shot a crane couple with his arrow-

मा निषाद प्रतिष्ठां त्वमगमः शाश्वतीः समाः।
यत्क्रौञ्चमिथुनादेकमवधीः काममोहितम्॥

You will find no rest for the long years of Eternity
For you killed a bird in love and unsuspecting

Other Names of Valmiki

Valmiki has many names called by the devotees like Balmiki, Ratnakara, Lal Beg, and Bala Shah. He has also been given some honors like Adi Kavi, the first poet, and Maharishi.

Valmiki Jayanti Celebrations across India

Valmiki Jayanti 2023 | Valmiki Jayanti Celebrations

Valmiki Jayanti 2024 | Valmiki Jayanti Celebrations

Valmiki Jayanti is celebrated with great joy in India, particularly by Hindu devotees.

  • Attending a Shobha Yatra- It is a procession carried out by people in their local areas with an idol of Valmiki. People sing devotional songs and shlokas along with the yatra.
  • Reciting the Ramayana- The recitation of the Ramayana is done in remembrance of Valmiki.
  • Visiting Temples- People pay their tributes and prayers in the temples of Valmiki across the country. The temples of the sage are decorated with flowers and lights, and the devotees offer free food and recite prayers.

Valmiki Temple, Amritsar, Punjab

Popularly known as Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal, it is a historic monument located in Amritsar, Punjab. It is believed to be the place of Valmiki’s residence and the place where he provided shelter to Sita. This is the place where the sons of Lord Rama and Sita, Luv, and Kush were born.

YOU CAN ALSO VISIT: Ram Mandir Ayodhya

Best Places to Observe Valmiki Jayanti in India 2024

Some of the best places to observe the celebrations for Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti in India are:

1. Chennai

Thiruvanmiyur temple in Chennai is believed to be a 1300-year-old temple dedicated to Valmiki. People sing devotional prayers and dance on the day of Valmiki Jayanti.

2. Uttar Pradesh

Valmiki Jayanti is celebrated on a grand level in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. All the temples are decorated in traditional ways with a 24-hour Ramayana recitation.

3. Punjab

Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal celebrates the festival with joy as it is the place of residence of Maharishi Valmiki. Multiple events like Nagar Kirtan and Langar are organized by the management.

4. Karnataka

In Mysore, Karnataka marks Valmiki Jayanti celebrations with a grand and colourful procession. People decorate temples with flowers and follow the rituals for Ramayana Katha.

Year-Wise Valmiki Jayanti Observances

YEAR DAY DATE Event/Festival
2021 Wed 20-Oct Valmiki Jayanti
2022 Sun 9-Oct Valmiki Jayanti
2023 Sat 28-Oct Valmiki Jayanti
2024 Thur 17-Oct Valmiki Jayanti
2025 Tue 7-Oct Valmiki Jayanti
2026 Mon 26-Oct Valmiki Jayanti
2027 Fri 15-Oct Valmiki Jayanti
2028 Tue 3-Oct Valmiki Jayanti
2029 Mon 22-Oct Valmiki Jayanti
2030 Fri 11-Oct Valmiki Jayanti

Other Festivals in India with Holiday Type

Festivals in India Day Date Holiday Type
New Year’s Day Mon 01-Jan Restricted Holiday
Lohri Sat 13-Jan Restricted Holiday
Makar Sankranti Sun 14-Jan Restricted Holiday
Pongal Mon 15-Jan Restricted Holiday
Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti Wed 17-Jan Restricted Holiday
Republic Day Fri 26-Jan Gazetted Holiday
Losar Sat 10-Feb Restricted Holiday
Basant Panchmi Wed 14-Feb Restricted Holiday
Guru Ravidas Jayanti Sat 24-Feb Gazetted Holiday
Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti Wed 6-Mar Restricted Holiday
Mahashivratri Fri 8-Mar Gazetted Holiday
Holi Mon 25-March Gazetted Holiday
Good Friday Fri 29-Mar Gazetted Holiday
Easter Day Sun 31-Mar Restricted Holiday
Gudi Padwa Tue 9-Apr Restricted Holiday
Eid-ul-Fitr Wed 10-Apr Gazetted Holiday
Vaisakhi (Vishu) Sat 13-Apr Restricted Holiday
Rama Navami Wed 17-Apr Gazetted Holiday
Mahavir Jayanti Sun 21-Apr Gazetted Holiday
Rabindra Jayanti Wed 8-May Restricted Holiday
Buddha Purnima (Vesak) Thu 23-May Gazetted Holiday
Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid) Mon 17-Jun Restricted Holiday
Rath Yatra Sun 7-Jul Gazetted Holiday
Muharram (Ashura) Wed 17-Jul Gazetted Holiday
Independence Day Thu 15-Aug Gazetted Holiday
Parsi New Year’s Day (Nauraz) Thu 15-Aug Public Holiday
Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi) Mon 19-Aug Restricted Holiday
Janmashtami Mon 26-Aug Restricted Holiday
Ganesh Chaturthi Sat 7-Sep Restricted Holiday
Onam Sun 15-Sep Restricted Holiday
Milad-un-Nabi or Id-e- Milad Mon 16-Sep Gazetted Holiday
Gandhi Jayanti Wed 02-Oct Gazetted Holiday
Dussehra Sat 12-Oct Gazetted Holiday
Valmiki Jayanti Thu 17-Oct Restricted Holiday
Karva Chauth Sun 20-Oct Gazetted Holiday
Dhanteras Tue 29-Oct Restricted Holiday
Diwali Thu 31-Oct Gazetted Holiday
Kali Puja Thu 31-Oct Gazetted Holiday
Lakshmi Puja Thu 31-Oct Gazetted Holiday
Halloween Day Thu 31-Oct No Holiday
Karnataka Rajyotsava Fri 1-Nov Gazetted Holiday
Kerala Piravi Fri 1-Nov Gazetted Holiday
Govardhan Puja Sat 2-Nov Gazetted Holiday
Bhai Dooj Sun 3-Nov Gazetted Holiday
Chhath Puja Thu 7-Nov Gazetted Holiday
Guru Nanak Jayanti Fri 15-Nov Gazetted Holiday
Christmas Wed 25-Dec Public Holiday

FAQs

Q. Why Valmiki Jayanti 2024 is important?

A. Valmiki Jayanti is important to celebrate the birth of the first-ever poet and offer tribute to the teachings for social justice and values.

Q. How old is Valmiki Ramayan?

A. The original date of Valmiki Ramayan is unknown but according to scholars, it dates back to the 3rd century.

Q. Is Valmiki Jayanthi 2024 a government holiday?

A. Valmiki Jayanti 2024 is an optional holiday.

Q. Where is Valmiki born?

A. According to historians, Valmiki was born along the banks of the Ganges in ancient India.

Q. What is the full name of Valmiki?

A. The birth name of Valmiki was Ratnakar and he was born in the house of a sage named Prachetasa.

Q. Which Yuga Valmiki was born?

A. Valmiki was born in Treta Yuga.

Q. Is Valmiki Jayanti 2024 a national holiday?

A. No, Valmiki Jayanti is not a national holiday, it is celebrated as an optional holiday.

Sargun Preet Kaur
Sargun has an appetite for challenges and creative hurdles that can help her grow as she conquers them one by one. With an innate desire to travel the world, she weaves through life by visiting her dream destinations. When not in her creative zone, Sargun loves to smash in badminton and binge-watch her favourite shows.
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