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Valmiki Jayanti 2021: Date, Auspicious Timings, Significance

Valmiki Jayanti is celebrated on 20th October in 2021  to commemorate the birth anniversary of .

Maharishi Valmiki – author of the Ramayana can be counted among the greatest of saints to have walked on this planet. The Ramayana – consisting of more than 24000 Shlokas (Verses) written in Sanskrit is not just an epic –  it is a Divine compilation of Shri Rama’s days on Earth. There are several stories about how Valmiki Ji became a saint and went on to compose the Ramayana. Most of them are not verifiable. What is known is He took on the life of an ascetic on the advice of a saint. Some say it was Narada Muni. 

Valmiki Ji became so engrossed in meditation that an anthill formed over Him. That’s where he got His name from – Valmika in Sanskrit means anthill. He achieved enlightenment and was now known as ‘Brahmarishi’. Maharshi Valmiki then built an Ashram on the banks of the Ganga river, not far from Chitrakoot, and began living there. It is said He was blessed by Lord Brahma with a Divine vision and then wrote the Ramayana.

The Ramayana by Maharshi Valmiki

The Ramayana written by Maharishi Valmiki tells us about Shri Rama’s life – from His birth in Ayodhya and eventual return after the exile to being crowned king of Ayodhya and His rule thereafter. The time was the Treta Yuga. 

The Epic consists of more than 24000 shlokas and seven chapters (Kands) – namely – Balkand, Ayodhya Kand, Aranya Kand, Kishkindha Kand, Sundar Kand, Yudha Kand, and Uttara Kand.

There is a myriad of characters in this epic, the central figures being Shri Rama, Sita Mata, Lakshman, and Hanuman Ji. Besides these, there are hundreds of others such as Raja Dashrath, his wives, Bharat, Shatrughna, Raja Janak, countless Rishis and Munis, and many, many more. All have been woven together to produce a work of art that is immortal.

Maharishi Valmiki Temples

There are numerous temples dedicated to Maharishi Valmiki in India. Two of the most notable among them are the Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal near Amritsar (Punjab) and Maharishi Valmiki temple in Thiruvanmiyur.

Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal, about 11 km from Amritsar is believed to be the place where Valmiki Ji had His Ashram and sheltered Sita Mata. Shri Rama’s two sons – Luv and Kush were also born here.

Maharishi Valmiki temple in Thiruvanmiyur is a place where it is believed Maharishi Valmiki prayed to Lord Shiva after completing the Ramayana. This temple is nearly 1300 years old and now part of the famed Marundeeswarar Temple.

Planning to visit Maharshi Valmiki Temples? Book your best stay in Amritsar here!

Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti Celebrations

On this day, which falls on the full moon day of the Ashwin month, Valmiki Temples are decorated with flowers and lights. Devotees gather in large numbers. Maharishi Valmiki is particularly venerated by the Valmiki Community.  Shobha Yatras with a Murti of Valmiki Ji is taken out with the chanting of bhajans dedicated to the great saint. Discourses on the Ramayana are organized and scenes from the epic are enacted.

Maharshi Valmiki Jayanti, though not as visible as other festivals, is nonetheless a significant festival, when remembrances and tributes are offered to the author of the world’s greatest religious epic – The Ramayana.

Auspicious Timings on Valmiki Jayanti

Purnima Tithi Begins –  07:03 PM on Wednesday, Oct.19, 2021

Purnima Tithi Ends –     08:26 PM on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2021

Happy Valmiki Jayanti!

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