Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti was celebrated for the first time at the Valmiki Mandir located within the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir complex, marking a historic chapter in Ayodhya’s religious and cultural revival. The celebrations honoured Maharishi Valmiki the Adi Kavi (first poet) and author of the Sanskrit epic Ramayana, whose verses immortalised the life and ideals of Shri Ram for generations.
The event witnessed devotees, pandits, and scholars coming together in reverence to the sage whose literary genius continues to shape the spiritual fabric of Bharat.
Valmiki Jayanti was celebrated for the first time at the newly constructed mandir of Maharishi Valmiki, the revered composer of the Ramayan, located within the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir premises.
A grand ceremony was organised at the mandir of Adi Kavi Maharishi Valmiki… pic.twitter.com/BcWQIjMtNy
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The day began with the consecration of the Valmiki murti by Mandir pandits amid the resonant chanting of Vedic mantras. The air within the sacred premises reverberated with the sound of conch shells and bells as flowers, naivedya (offerings), and lamps were presented before the sage, symbolising reverence for the ancient rishi parampara (sage tradition).
Speaking on the occasion, Champat Rai, General Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, said, “The soul of Ayodhya resides not only in Bhagwan Ram but also in the sages who preserved and propagated the Ram Katha through ages. The Maharishi Valmiki Mandir stands as a tribute to that eternal wisdom.”
He further announced that each sub-Mandir within the Ram Janmabhoomi complex will now regularly celebrate festivals associated with the respective deity or sage, making the Mandir complex a vibrant centre of ongoing spiritual and cultural activities.
This year’s Valmiki Jayanti holds special significance as it marked the first grand celebration of the sage’s birth anniversary since the establishment of his Mandir inside the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi complex. The newly constructed Valmiki Mandir was adorned with flowers and illuminated lamps, creating an ethereal glow as devotees gathered for aarti, bhajan, and recitation of the Ram Katha.
For the first time, a large number of devotees assembled for the evening aarti and bhajan at the Valmiki Mandir, filling the shrine with chants of “Jai Maharishi Valmiki!” and “Jai Shri Ram!”
Adding to the spiritual fervour, 130 devotees, including Muniraj from Bangalore, participated in the Vishnu Sahasranama Parayan, havan (fire ritual), and aarti at the Yagyashala of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi complex. The devotees later proceeded for darshan of Shri Ram Lalla at 1:30 p.m., offering prayers for peace and divine blessings.
Prominent attendees included Gopal Rao, Dr Chandra Gopal Pandey, and Shailendra Shukla, who were present throughout the rituals. Gopal Rao, who is also the construction in-charge of the Mandir, expressed gratitude that the Valmiki Mandir has now become a living centre of devotion within the sacred precincts of Ayodhya.
The grand ceremony was attended by senior dignitaries including Champat Rai, senior pracharak Gopal Ji, and several acharyas who conducted the rituals in accordance with ancient Vedic traditions.
