Valmiki Jayanti will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 17, in various states across India. To honor this occasion, several state governments have declared holidays for schools, colleges, and government offices. The Uttar Pradesh government has officially announced that all schools in Noida, Greater Noida, and Ghaziabad will be closed on this date.
Other states, including Punjab, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh, have also confirmed school closures in recognition of the birth anniversary of Maharishi Valmiki, the esteemed author of the Ramayana. The holiday aims to enable people to participate in celebrations and reflect on Valmiki’s significant contributions to Indian culture and literature. Various events and processions are expected to take place in these regions to commemorate his legacy.
Valmiki Jayanti 2024: Significance
Maharishi Valmiki is celebrated with great fervor across India. This occasion features processions and tableaux organized in various areas to honor his contributions. According to mythology, Maharishi Valmiki was born to Varuna, the ninth son of Maharishi Kashyap and Aditi, along with his wife, Charshani.
A well-known myth describes how Maharishi Valmiki received his name. While engaged in deep meditation, termite mounds formed around his body. Since these mounds are referred to as “Valmiki” in Sanskrit, he adopted this name. Additionally, according to the Ramayana, after Lord Ram abandoned Sita, she took refuge in Valmiki’s ashram, where he also educated Ram’s sons, Luv and Kush.
Additional school holidays this month
In addition to the Valmiki Jayanti holiday on October 17, schools will observe further closures later in the month for Diwali, which falls on October 31, affecting many regions across the country.
