Valmiki Jayanti 2021: Wishes, date, significance, puja and history

Every year, Valmiki Jayanti is celebrated on the full moon day of the Ashwin month to commemorate the birth anniversary of Maharishi Valmiki. Valmiki Jayanti is widely celebrated in northern and central India and it is popularly called Pragat Diwas. According to mythology, he was the first poet who had authored the epic Ramayana and the first-ever Sanskrit shlokas. He is also referred to as ‘Adi Kavi.’

Valmiki Jayanti 2021 Date:

This year Valmiki Jayanti is being celebrated across India on Wednesday (October 20).

History and significance of Valmiki Jayanti

As per the folklore, Maharishi Valmiki, the creator of Ramayana was a dacoit before he wrote the Hindu epic. It was only after he met Narada Muni that he transformed himself into a learned sage and he received divine knowledge. Narada Muni made Valmiki realise that one had to reap their sins later. Valmiki performed penance for several years in Ratnakar forest. According to the legends, he stood at one place for such a long time that ants started building their nest on his body. Even under those circumstances, he didn’t let his morale down.

We can learn a lot from this. It teaches us to leave our past behind and thrive to create a better future. We should get inspired by his penance and dedication to repair his own ill deeds.

First Sanskrit Shloka drafted by Maharishi Valmiki

It is also believed that it was Maharishi Valmiki who drafted the first Sanskrit Shloka. Once Maharishi Valmiki was watching a bird couple. They were busy making love when all of a sudden a hunter shot one of the birds down with an arrow. The bird died immediately. The sight infuriated Maharishi. Overwhelmed with pain and anger, Maharishi penned down a Shloka, which is considered as the first Sanskrit Shloka ever.

मां निषाद प्रतिष्ठां त्वगम: शाश्वती: समा: ।

यत्क्रौंचमिथुनादेकम् अवधी: काममोहितम् ।।

Valmiki Jayanti Puja

On this day, many worship the poet by reciting verses of Ramayana at Valmiki temples across the country. It is said that Maharishi Valmiki had a 'shine' like a full moon. Hence, people started celebrating Valmiki Jayanti on the full moon day.

One of the most famous temples dedicated to the sage is in Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai. The temple, which is 1,300 years old, was believed to be the place where Valmiki rested after writing Ramayana. On this day, followers of the Valmiki carry out Shobha Yatras or processions and sing devotional songs and bhajan. They also recite the verses and Shlokas of Ramayana on auspicious occasions. On this day, people decorate the temples of Valmiki Ji and offer flowers, food and fruits.