Maharishi Valmiki is an appreciable and great poet and author of Hindu religious book Ramayana. This year 5 October is marked as a birthday or Valmiki Jayanti of Maharishi Valmiki. According to Hindu calendar, Valmiki Jayanti falls on an Ashwin Purnima (Full moon day of Ashwin month). Valmiki religious people celebrate this day as Pragat Diwas.
The story of Maharishi Valmiki: Dacoit Ratnakar to Maharishi Valmiki
Maharishi Valmiki wrote 24,000 shlokas and 7 cantos (kandas) in the epic story of Lord Rama (Ramayana). It is believed according to Hindu mythology Valmiki was famous as ‘Ratnakar dacoit’ in their early life and Narad Muni transforms him into the great devotee of Lord Rama. Then Valmiki does Meditation for many years for Lord Rama. Lord Rama came to meet Valmiki and gave him a new name as ‘Maharishi Valmiki’. When Lord Rama banished Sita, Valmiki gave shelter to Mata Sita in their hermitage and Rama’s children, lova, and Kusha were also born in Valmiki’s hermitage.
There are various of temples of Valmiki in India but in Chennai Tiru-Valmiki-Oor temple of Valmiki is most famous among all of them and about 1300 year old located in Tiruvanmiyur.
The celebration of Valmiki Jayanti:
People celebrate Valmiki Jayanti by following Shobha yatra in which many idols of Maharishi Valmiki and tableau are decorated. They play with colors and enjoy Pragat Diwas.
