Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti Celebrated Across India on October 26

Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti is being observed across the country today, 26 October 2026, with devotion and enthusiasm. The day is also known as Valmiki Pragat Diwas and falls every year on the full moon of the Ashwin month. This year, the full moon began at 11:55 am on 25 October and continued until 9:41 am today, 26 October. Therefore, according to the Udaya Tithi tradition, Valmiki Jayanti is being celebrated today. The date is also observed as Ashwin Shukla Purnima and Sharad Purnima. The source identifies the date as Monday.

Maharishi Valmiki is regarded as the first poet of Sanskrit literature and is widely known as the Adikavi. He composed the epic Ramayana, which contains 24,000 verses and 7 kandas. The Ramayana continues to be regarded as a symbol of truth, dharma, duty and maryada.

According to the traditional account, Maharishi Valmiki gave shelter at his ashram to Mata Sita after Lord Ram sent her into exile. The birth of Lav and Kush, as well as their education and upbringing, also took place at this ashram.

Before becoming Maharishi Valmiki, he was known as Ratnakar. It is said that an incident deeply shook him. On the advice of Narada Ji, he began chanting “मरा-मरा”. As he continued repeating the words, the chant gradually became “राम-राम”.

Ratnakar then engaged in severe penance for years. During this period, an anthill, known as a valmik, formed around him. It is from this valmik that he came to be known as Valmiki.

Maharishi Valmiki is called the Adikavi because of the first shloka associated with him. Once, on the banks of the Tamasa River, he saw a pair of Kraunch birds. A hunter killed one of the birds. After seeing the other bird mourning, a verse of compassion emerged from Valmiki’s mouth. This verse is regarded as the first shloka in Sanskrit.

Valmiki Jayanti is marked with worship in temples, Ramayana recitations, bhajan and kirtan programmes, and processions. The Valmiki community celebrates the occasion as Pragat Diwas with great enthusiasm.

The life of Maharishi Valmiki conveys the message that a person can change their actions and thoughts and move from being a dacoit to becoming a saint.

On the occasion, अजय कुमार राजवर, प्रदेश प्रमुख महासचिव बहुजन पार्टी, distributed sweets and extended greetings to everyone.

The message associated with the occasion says: “ईश्वर सभी को सद्बुद्धि दे। जय वाल्मीकि, जय श्री राम!”