Valmiki Jayanti 2024: Date, Importance and More Facts

Sage Valmiki, the great poet and author, wrote India’s oldest sacred epic, the Ramayana. He is also the composer of the poem Adikavya. We highly value his outstanding compositions and respect for Lord Ram and Maa Sita. Let us explore the importance of Valmiki Jayanti in 2024 and other interesting facts.

Valmiki Jayanti: Date and Time

Valmiki Jayanti will be celebrated this year in Sharad Purnima.

Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti Date: Thursday, October 17, 2024
Purnima Tithi Begins: 8:40 P.M. on Oct 16, 2024
Purnima Tithi Ends: 4:55 P.M on Oct 17, 2024

Who is Maharishi Valmiki?

Maharishi Valmiki is a great sage, poet, and author of two Sanskrit epics—the Ramayana and Adikavya. We respect his fight against injustice and his generosity. He sheltered Goddess Sita during her pregnancy.

His contributions to the Sanskrit language have greatly inspired other Indian poets. His other names are: Balmiki, Adi Kavi, Ratnakara, Bala Shah, etc. The other name of Valmiki Jayanti is Pargat Diwas. In 2024, his devotees and community will celebrate his Jayanti grandly.

Also Read: Rama Ekadashi 2024: Rituals, Significance And Puja Muhurat

Valmiki Jayanti 2024: A Brief History

Maharishi Valmiki was born around 500 B.C. His father is the sage Pracheta. Earlier, he was a dacoit named Ratnakara. In his childhood, he got lost in a vast jungle. There, a hunter found and raised him. After that, he used to hunt animals and rob people.

One day, he meets Narada Muni. Unluckily, he fails to rob him. The sage converts him into a follower of Lord Ram. Ratnakara goes through penance and becomes successful. He hears a voice that gives him the name Valmiki. It was Lord Brahma who gave him a boon to write the Ramayana.

Since then, we have known him as Maharishi Valmiki. We remember him on his Jayanti to pay tribute to his knowledge and invaluable teachings. Many people all over the country will celebrate Valmiki Jayanti on 17th October 2024.

Valmiki’s Role in Mahabharata

Sage Valmiki was alive during the Mahabharata War. He went to the Pandava, Yudhisthira, to tell him to worship Shiva. We know that he told Yudhisthira that he could reap several benefits if he worshipped Lord Shiva.

Importance of Valmiki Jayanti

People in every part of India will celebrate Valmiki Jayanti in 2024 to honour and remember him for his excellent work and contributions. He is the sage who inspired many poets and stood against social injustice. This day symbolises the importance of repentance and the victory of good over evil.

Where Do We Celebrate It?

We devote ourselves to His Jayanti, celebrated in the north Indian states of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Chennai. We decorate his temples with flowers and sing bhajans to honour the saint.

How Do We Celebrate Valmiki Jayanti?

The devotees and people celebrating Valmiki Jayanti participate in Shobha Yatras wearing saffron-coloured dresses. His devotees give free food to the needy. In Punjab, people organise langars for the poor. In Chennai, people sing devotional songs and dance in honour of him. We decorate the temples with flowers and light. On this auspicious day, many devotees wear rudraksha made of pearl to get positive benefits. People visit the Valmiki temples and recite the Ramayana. People organise satsangs in some states. We organise Cultural events to value his contributions.

The Rituals of Valmiki Jayanti

Below are the rituals of Valmiki Jayanti:

We wake up early and take a holy bath in the Ganges. You can bathe in any nearby pond if there is no Ganga.
We offer water to Lord Surya.
People meditate by taking the name of the Maharishi.
We wear new clothes by taking a bath.
You bow down where you worship and remember your favourite deities.
Devotees offer him worship with pure devotion by organising different programmes.

Valmiki Jayanti 2024: Some Interesting Facts

Are you aware of some facts about the sage Valmiki? Let’s discuss below:

The saint was a great Tamil scholar. He was fluent in the languages- Sanskrit and Tamil.
We know about the Valmiki community. It is found in the state of Gujarat, and its members worship him as their ancestor.
The temple, Maharishi Valmiki Temple, Chennai, is 1300 years old.
We say he is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He taught the Ramayana to Lord Ram’s sons, Luv and Kusha.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the importance of Valmiki Jayanti?

Saint Valmiki was a great Indian poet who composed the Ramayana epic and Adikavya. In 2024, Valmiki Jayanti will be celebrated on October 17th.

2. In which states is Valmiki Jayanti celebrated?

Valmiki Jayanti is celebrated in Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Chennai etc.

3. What is the principle of Valmiki in the epic Ramayana?

His principle states that Dharma is supreme in everything. Dharma gives us a place in society and provides happiness and prosperity.

4. When was Valmiki born?

Valmiki was born around 500 B.C. to Rishi Pracheta on the banks of the river Ganges.

5. Who motivated Valmiki to write Ramayana?

Brahma appeared before Valmiki and told him to write the Ramayana. He was given Brahma’s boon: He would learn about Lord Ram’s life and write an epic about it.