🌼 Valmiki Jayanti 🌼

🔰🌻Celebration of Valmiki Jayanti: 🌻🔰

      Pragat Diwas is the name given to the birth of Maharshi Valmiki on occasion. The day will be enthusiastically celebrated by Hindu believers. Shobha yatras and meetings are held to commemorate the day. To commemorate the day, devotees serve free food. There are also prayers said. Maharshi Valmiki’s temples are tastefully embellished with a range of colorful flowers. Observing the entire environment will be thrilling.  

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🔰🌻Why is Valmiki Jayanti Celebrated?  

      On Valmiki Jayanti, people celebrate the birthday of the sage Valmiki, who is credited with penning the fabled Indian epic the Ramayana. Valmiki is regarded as one of the finest poets and sages in Hindu tradition. One of his writings, the Ramayana, narrates the tale of Lord Rama, his spouse Sita, and their comrade Hanuman. Valmiki Jayanti is celebrated with reverence by followers of the epic, who use the day to pray, read lines from the Ramayana, and reflect on the values and lessons it offers. It is an occasion to honor wisdom, morality, and the timeless truths the Ramayana has to offer.  

      The Hindu lunar calendar states that Valmiki Jayanti usually falls on the Ashwin month’s full moon, or Purnima. Satsangs, or spiritual talks, readings or listenings to the Ramayana, and many cultural events that highlight the significance of Valmiki’s literary and spiritual achievements are all part of the festivities.  

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🔰 🌻 When was Valmiki Born or Died?  🌻 🔰

      The precise dates of Sage Valmiki’s birth and passing are uncertain and differ from one source to another. Treta Yuga is one of the four periods of Hindu mythology, and it is believed that Valmiki lived in this period. There is a claim that the Treta Yuga, the second of the four yugas, exists. Traditions both historical and mythological assert that Valmiki lived numerous millennia ago. Though the dates are uncertain, his literary achievements—most notably the writing of the Ramayana—remain highly esteemed in Hindu culture. Valmiki Jayanti is celebrated on the day of the full moon (Purnima) in the Hindu calendar month of Ashwin, marking the anniversary of his birth.  

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🔰🌻 Facts about Maharshi Valmiki Temple 🌻🔰

• The largest festival of Maharshi Valmiki is situated in Thiruvanmiyur in Chennai. This is a 1,300-year-old temple. Rishi Valmiki rested at this location after penciling Ramayana. Later, the temple was built in his name. 

• Brahmotsavam festival is held every year in March. On full moon light, special prayers shall be organised every month. 

• Marundeeswarar Temple supervises Maharshi Valmiki Temple. During the sovereignty of Chola, Marundeeswarar Temple was constructed. 

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🔰 🌻The Story of Valmiki 🌻🔰

        There there lived an extremely dangerous man named Ratnakar during the Treta Yug, thousands of years ago. His former home was a modest hut by the banks of the sacred Ganga river. Ratanakar was once a very feared person. He was frightening not just people but also animals. Everyone used to flee into their houses in horror whenever Ratnakar visited a certain location. When frightened, animals and birds would flee into their caves and nests while strolling through the forest. This demonstrates Ratnakar’s appalling nature. One lovely day, Ratnakar lurked along the trail in the forest, waiting for something to eat. Naradji, a sage, passed via that path a few hours later. He was very peaceful and composed. The sage was chanting Bhajans, and marveling at the beauty of nature. Suddenly Ratnakar jumped out of the stone and ordered “Hand me everything you are carrying right now or I will harm you”. 

        Narad answered, “My dear, do truly think I own something to give you? With love and concern in his gaze. Right now, all I have are the worn-out clothing that I am wearing. Please accept it if you so want.” Ratnakar was taken aback by the sage’s response, paused, and met his eyes. Ratnakar’s vile and dirty mentality softened as he looked at it. Naradji was conscious of this change. Grinning, he spoke gently about how it is bad to steal someone else’s possessions that they have worked hard to get and how killing other living things is a serious sin. “Your family may enjoy the fruits of your sinful actions, but they will not share any of your sins,” Naradji finally stated. Finally, it would be you who would suffer the consequences.” Ratnakar touched Naradji’s feet after realizing his error. Ratnakar sobbed and begged for pardon. After extending forgiveness, Naradji showed him how to recite the holy word Ram. Ratnakar started reciting the holy word Ram nonstop, day and night. He chanted Ram for many years without eating or sleeping. He was so focused that before long, an anthill started growing over his nude body. His devotion impressed Naradji, who returned to that location. With great care, Naradji extracted the earth and the anthill from Ratanakar’s body. It was on that day that Ratnakar was declared a sage by Naradji. He said, “From now onwards, you will begin your new life with the name Valmiki, as you were reborn through a Val-Miki (Ant-Hill).” Ratnakar started crying and turned to face his new life as Valmiki. On the Ganga’s banks, he established an ashram. The renowned sage Valmiki wrote the Ramayana in the same ashram where Sita took shelter! 

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