CM Bhagwant Mann greets Valmiki community on Jayanti
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
On the occasion of Valmiki Jayanti 2026, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann extended heartfelt greetings to Valmiki devotees and communities across India and abroad, honouring the ancient sage revered as the author of the Ramayan and the first poet of the Sanskrit literary tradition.
Writing in Punjabi, CM Mann offered his wishes on what he called the 'pavan pragat divas' — the sacred day of manifestation — of Maharishi Valmiki, describing his message of truth, righteousness, and virtue as a 'great lighthouse' for society even today. 'His great teachings will always guide us,' the Chief Minister wrote.
Adi Kavi: the sage who gave India its first epic
Maharishi Valmiki holds a singular place in Indian civilisational memory. Revered as Adi Kavi — the first poet — he is credited with composing the Valmiki Ramayana, one of the oldest and most influential Sanskrit epics, whose verses on dharma, devotion, and moral courage have shaped art, literature, and social thought across South and Southeast Asia for millennia.
Valmiki Jayanti, observed on the full moon of the Hindu month of Ashwin, draws large gatherings of devotees belonging to communities that trace a special reverence to the sage — including significant populations across Punjab, Haryana, and the Indian diaspora in countries such as the United Kingdom and Canada.
A tradition of political outreach on Valmiki Jayanti
Greeting the Valmiki community on this day has become a consistent practice among state and national political leaders, reflecting the community's demographic and cultural weight — particularly in Punjab, where Valmiki shrines and sabhas maintain a vibrant presence. CM Mann's message, addressed to 'samuh sangtan' (all congregations) settled in India and overseas, signals the AAP government's continued effort to build inclusive cultural outreach across the state's diverse communities.
The message carries the warmth appropriate to the day — a reminder that political acknowledgement of living spiritual traditions is as much a social gesture as a ceremonial one.