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Valmiki Jayanti 2023: 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 28th October (Saturday) in 2023.

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 2023 | 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 2023 | 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.

Best Places to Observe Valmiki Jayanti in India 2023

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 Sunday 1 January Public
Lohri Saturday 14 January Restricted
Makar Sankranti Saturday 14 January Restricted
Pongal Sunday 15 January Restricted
Basant Panchmi Thursday 26 January Restricted
Republic Day Thursday 26 January Public
Guru Ravidass Jayanti Sunday 5 February Restricted
Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti Wednesday 15 February Restricted
Mahashivratri Saturday 18 February Restricted
Losar Tuesday 21 February Restricted
Holi Wednesday 8 March Public
Ram Navami Thursday 30 March Restricted
Mahavir Jayanti Tuesday 4 April Restricted
Good Friday Friday 7 April Public
Easter Sunday 9 April Restricted
Vaisakhi Friday 14 April Restricted
Eid Ul Fitr Saturday 22 April Public
Buddha Purnima Friday 5 May Public
Rabindra Jayanti Tuesday 9 May Restricted
Rath Yatra Tuesday 20 June Restricted
Eid Al Adha Thursday 29 June Restricted
Muharram Saturday 29 July Public
Independence Day Tuesday 15 August Public
Parsi New Year Navroz Wednesday 16 August Restricted
Onam Tuesday 29 August Restricted
Raksha Bandhan Wednesday 30 August Restricted
Janmashtami Thursday 7 September Restricted
Ganesh Chaturthi Tuesday 19 September Restricted
Id E Milad Thursday 28 September Public
Gandhi Jayanti Monday 2 October Public
Shardiya Navratri Sunday 15 October No Holiday
Durga Puja Friday 20 October No Holiday
Dussehra Tuesday 24 October Public
Valmiki Jayanti Saturday 28 October Restricted
Halloween Day Tuesday 31 October No Holiday
Karva Chauth Tuesday 1 November Restricted
Karnataka Rajyotsava Tuesday 1 November Restricted
Kerala Piravi Tuesday 1 November Restricted
Ahoi Ashtami Sunday 5 November No Holiday
Dhanteras Saturday 11 November No Holiday
Diwali Sunday 12 November Public
Kali Puja Sunday 12 November No Holiday
Lakshmi Puja Sunday 12 November No Holiday
Govardhan Puja Monday 13 November Public
Bhai Dooj Tuesday 14 November Restricted
Chhath Puja Sunday 19 November Restricted
Guru Nanak Jayanti Monday 27 November Public
Kartik Purnima Monday 27 November No Holiday
Christmas Monday 25 December Public

FAQs

Q. Why Valmiki Jayanti 2023 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 2023 a government holiday?

A. Valmiki Jayanti 2023 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 2023 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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