About Maharishi Valmiki Birth Anniversary:
Valmiki, also called as Maharishi Valmiki, is regarded as India’s first poet or ‘Adi Kavi’ of Sanskrit literature. Valmiki was a great sage and the creator of the world famous epic Ramayana. Ramayana consists of 24,000 verses and 7 cantos or Kandas.
Maharishi Valmiki is believed to be lived in Treta Yuga, at the time of Lord Sri Rama, and hence it is difficult to assess the exact timings of his birth, because the era of Lord Sri Rama is also a topic of great debate among modern historians. However, his birth anniversary, known as Valmiki Jayanti, is celebrated on Ashwin Purnima, according to Hindu lunar calendar.
Ramayana narrates that Shri Rama met Valmiki during his period of exile. Later, Devi Sita lived at Valmiki’s hermitage when Rama left her in the forest, suspecting her sanctity. The twin sons of Shri Rama, named Kusha and Lava, were born in his hermitage and Valmiki taught Ramayana to the twins.
Legend says that Maharishi Valmiki in his early life was a highway dacoit called Ratnakar, who used to rob and kill people. It is believed that sage Narada Muni transformed the dacoit Ratnakar into great devotee of Lord Rama. As per the advice of Narada Muni, Ratnakar performed severe penance by repeatedly reciting the sacred Mantra of Rama Nama. During deep meditation, an ant hill covered his body and after several years of penance, he became enlightened and was known by the new name Valmiki, which literally means “the one who born out of ant-hills”.
Valmiki Jayanti Friday 15th October 2027
Valmiki Jayanti Timings:
Purnima Tithi Starts = 6:48 PM on 14-October-2027
Purnima Tithi Ends = 7:15 PM on 15-October-2027