Valmiki Jayanti (Pragat Diwas)

In Context

  • Every year, Valmiki Jayanti (Pragat Diwas) is celebrated on the full moon day of the Ashwin month to mark the birth anniversary of Maharishi Valmiki.

About Maharishi Valmiki 

  • He is also famous as Adi Kavi and considered as the first poet of the Sanskrit language and author of the epic Ramayana. 
  • According to the epic Ramayana, Lord Rama met Valmiki during his period of exile and interacted with him. Later, Valmiki provided shelter to Devi Sita in his hermitage when Lord Rama banished her. 
  • In his hermitage, Kusha and Luv, the twin sons of Lord Rama were born. It is also believed that Valmiki taught Ramayana to both twins.

Source: TH