Gadkari pays tribute to Maharishi Valmiki on Jayanti
Synopsis
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari paid respectful homage to Maharishi Valmiki — the ancient sage and Adi Kavi who composed the Ramayana — on his Jayanti, extending wishes to all Indians on 26 October 2026.
Key Takeaways
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari posted greetings on Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti on 26 October 2026 .
Maharishi Valmiki is revered as the Adi Kavi (first poet) of Sanskrit literature.
Valmiki is credited with composing the Ramayana , one of India's two great ancient epics.
Gadkari extended heartfelt wishes to all fellow countrymen on the occasion.
The tribute is part of a consistent pattern of BJP leaders marking major Hindu cultural and religious observances publicly.
On the occasion of Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari offered his respects to the ancient sage revered as the Adi Kavi — the first poet — and extended warm wishes to all Indians on Monday, 26 October 2026.
Gadkari's post, shared in Hindi, read: 'Mahakavya Ramayana ke rachayita Adi Kavi Maharishi Valmiki ji ki jayanti par unhe sadar naman' — 'Respectful homage to Adi Kavi Maharishi Valmiki, the composer of the epic Ramayana, on his birth anniversary.' He also conveyed 'heartfelt greetings to all fellow countrymen on Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti.'
The sage behind the Ramayana
Maharishi Valmiki is one of ancient India's most venerated figures — the sage-poet credited with composing the Sanskrit epic Ramayana, which narrates the life, exile, and victories of Lord Rama. Regarded as the fountainhead of Sanskrit poetry, Valmiki's Jayanti is observed on the full moon of the Ashwin or Kartik month according to the Hindu calendar, drawing devotees and cultural events across the country.
Senior leaders of the BJP have consistently used social media to mark Hindu cultural and religious observances — jayantis, birth anniversaries, and sacred festivals — as part of a broader effort to keep traditional Indian heritage figures visible in national public discourse. Gadkari, a former BJP national president and one of the party's most prominent senior faces, has been a regular voice in these observances.
Point of View
Making the occasion politically as well as culturally significant. For a party that has worked to consolidate both upper-caste Hindu sentiment and Dalit outreach, the tribute is a reminder that religious-cultural messaging and social coalition-building are rarely separate exercises. Gadkari's long tenure as a prominent face of the party lends additional weight to such gestures beyond routine protocol.
NationPress
26 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti celebrated?
Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti is celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Ashwin or Kartik month of the Hindu calendar, which typically falls in October.
Who was Maharishi Valmiki?
Maharishi Valmiki was an ancient Indian sage revered as the Adi Kavi — the first poet — and is credited with composing the Sanskrit epic Ramayana, which narrates the story of Lord Rama.
Why did Nitin Gadkari post about Valmiki Jayanti?
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari posted greetings to honour Maharishi Valmiki on his birth anniversary and to extend wishes to all Indians on the occasion, consistent with BJP leaders publicly marking major Hindu cultural observances.
What is the significance of Valmiki Jayanti in India?
Valmiki Jayanti celebrates the birth of the sage who composed the Ramayana. The day is particularly significant for communities that revere Valmiki as an ancestor, and cultural events are held across the country.
What is the Ramayana?
The Ramayana is one of India's two great ancient Sanskrit epics, composed by Maharishi Valmiki. It narrates the life, exile, and eventual triumph of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana.
