CM Fadnavis pays tribute to Maharishi Valmiki on Jayanti
Synopsis
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis marked Valmiki Jayanti on 26 October 2026 with a bilingual tribute to Maharishi Valmiki, the Adi Kavi credited with composing the Ramayana, calling his teachings timeless guides for humanity.
Key Takeaways
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis posted a tribute to Maharishi Valmiki on his birth anniversary, 26 October 2026 .
Valmiki is revered as Adi Kavi — the First Poet — and the traditional composer of the Sanskrit epic Ramayana .
Fadnavis posted in both English and Marathi , offering 'crores of salutations' to the sage.
The post highlights the Ramayana's continued role as a moral and spiritual touchstone in contemporary Indian public life.
Valmiki Jayanti is observed annually across India with cultural recitations, processions, and community gatherings.
On the birth anniversary of Maharishi Valmiki — the ancient sage revered across India as the composer of the Ramayana and honoured with the title Adi Kavi (the First Poet) — Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis offered his respects on Monday, 26 October 2026, calling the sage's teachings 'timeless' and his wisdom 'divine.'
In a bilingual post on X, Fadnavis wrote in English: 'Humble tributes to the author of the Ramayana, 'AdiKavi' Maharishi Valmiki, on his Birth Anniversary! His timeless teachings and the divine wisdom of the Ramayana continue to illuminate the path of humanity.' In Marathi, he added: 'प्रभू श्री रामचंद्रांच्या दिव्य चरित्राचे दर्शन घडवणारे, महाकाव्य रामायणाचे रचनाकार, आदिकवी 'महर्षि वाल्मीकि' यांना जयंतीदिनी कोटी कोटी नमन!' — meaning, 'Crores of salutations on Jayanti to Adi Kavi Maharishi Valmiki, the composer of the great epic Ramayana, who gave us a vision of the divine life of Lord Shri Ramachandra.'
Who was Maharishi Valmiki?
Maharishi Valmiki is traditionally regarded as the author of the Sanskrit epic Ramayana, one of the two foundational epics of Hindu civilisation. Scholars place the composition of the Ramayana in the ancient period, and Valmiki is revered not merely as a poet but as a maharishi — a great sage — whose work captured the moral and spiritual ideals embodied by Lord Rama. The title Adi Kavi, meaning the 'First Poet,' reflects the belief that the Ramayana represents the very origin of Sanskrit poetry as a literary form.
Valmiki Jayanti and its resonance in Maharashtra
Valmiki Jayanti, observed annually on the full moon day of the Ashwin month in the Hindu calendar, draws participation from communities across India, including large Valmiki-revering communities in Maharashtra. Cultural recitations, processions, and spiritual gatherings mark the day in cities and towns across the state. It is among the anniversaries that Indian political figures across the spectrum acknowledge publicly, underscoring the enduring cultural weight of the Ramayana in national life.
Point of View
Addressing both a pan-Indian reverence for Valmiki and the specific sensibility of Maharashtra's electorate. For the BJP, marking classical spiritual anniversaries is part of a broader civilisational-heritage narrative that connects governance to ancient Indic identity. The Ramayana, in particular, has served as a recurring symbol in the party's political messaging. That the CM chose to emphasise Valmiki's role as moral guide — 'illuminating the path of humanity' — rather than any sectarian framing reflects the wider convention of positioning such tributes as culturally inclusive rather than politically divisive.
NationPress
26 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Valmiki Jayanti celebrated in 2026?
Valmiki Jayanti 2026 falls on 26 October , observed on the full moon of the Ashwin month in the Hindu calendar to mark the birth anniversary of Maharishi Valmiki.
Who is Maharishi Valmiki and why is he called Adi Kavi?
Maharishi Valmiki is the ancient sage traditionally credited with composing the Sanskrit epic Ramayana . He is called Adi Kavi — meaning the First Poet — because the Ramayana is regarded as the origin of Sanskrit poetry as a literary form.
What did CM Devendra Fadnavis say on Valmiki Jayanti 2026?
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said Valmiki's 'timeless teachings and the divine wisdom of the Ramayana continue to illuminate the path of humanity,' and offered 'crores of salutations' in Marathi on the occasion.
How is Valmiki Jayanti observed in Maharashtra?
Valmiki Jayanti in Maharashtra is marked by cultural recitations, processions, and community gatherings, particularly in cities with large Valmiki-revering communities, though specific local event details for 2026 are not yet confirmed.
What is the significance of the Ramayana?
The Ramayana is one of the two foundational epics of Hindu civilisation, narrating the life of Lord Rama and conveying moral, spiritual, and philosophical teachings that have shaped Indian culture for millennia.
