Shekhawat greets nation on Valmiki Jayanti
Synopsis
Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat greeted the nation on Valmiki Jayanti, paying tribute to Maharshi Valmiki — the ancient sage, Adi Kavi, and author of the Ramayana — on 26 October 2026.
Key Takeaways
Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat posted Valmiki Jayanti greetings on 26 October 2026 .
Maharshi Valmiki is revered as the Adi Kavi — the first poet in the Sanskrit tradition — and is credited with authoring the Ramayana .
The message, addressed to 'all countrymen', reflects the Ministry of Culture's consistent practice of marking classical literary jayantis officially.
The Ramayana remains a central reference point in India's state-supported cultural and heritage programming.
On the occasion of Valmiki Jayanti 2026, Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat extended greetings to all fellow citizens, paying tribute to the ancient sage revered as the author of the Ramayana and honoured across India as Adi Kavi — the first poet.
Posting on Monday, 26 October, Shekhawat wrote in Hindi: 'समस्त देशवासियों को रामायण के रचनाकार आदिकवि महर्षि वाल्मीकि जी की जयंती की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं' — 'Heartfelt greetings to all countrymen on the birth anniversary of Maharshi Valmiki, the Adi Kavi and author of the Ramayana.'
Who was Maharshi Valmiki?
Maharshi Valmiki is one of the most revered figures in India's ancient literary tradition. He is traditionally credited with composing the Ramayana, one of the two great Sanskrit epics, and is accorded the title Adi Kavi — meaning the first or original poet — in recognition of his foundational contribution to Sanskrit verse. Valmiki Jayanti, observed on the full moon day of the month of Ashwin according to the Hindu lunar calendar, is marked by communities, cultural organisations, and governments across the country.
Culture Ministry's focus on classical heritage
Shekhawat's message is consistent with the Ministry of Culture's broader emphasis on India's ancient textual and spiritual legacy. Ministers and officials routinely issue formal greetings on the jayantis of classical literary and philosophical figures, situating these occasions within official cultural programming. The Ramayana, in particular, has been a recurring reference point in state-supported heritage and tourism initiatives — from pilgrimage circuit development to international cultural diplomacy.
Point of View
Recurring feature of the current government's cultural messaging — one that frames India's ancient textual heritage as living national identity rather than academic history. Shekhawat's greeting on Valmiki Jayanti, coming from the Union Culture and Tourism Minister, reinforces the Ministry's ongoing effort to anchor mainstream cultural programming around Sanatan literary traditions. The Ramayana's presence across heritage tourism circuits and diplomatic soft-power efforts means these observances carry institutional weight beyond ritual courtesy. For the BJP, honouring figures like Maharshi Valmiki also speaks to communities that hold him as an especially significant cultural and spiritual symbol.
NationPress
26 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Valmiki Jayanti?
Valmiki Jayanti is the birth anniversary of Maharshi Valmiki , the ancient sage credited with composing the Ramayana and revered as the Adi Kavi — the first poet of Sanskrit literature. It is observed on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Ashwin.
Who is Maharshi Valmiki?
Maharshi Valmiki is one of India's most venerated ancient sages. He is traditionally regarded as the author of the Ramayana, one of the two great Sanskrit epics, and holds the title Adi Kavi — meaning the original or first poet in the Sanskrit tradition.
What did Gajendra Singh Shekhawat say on Valmiki Jayanti 2026?
Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat posted a message on X extending 'heartfelt greetings to all countrymen on the birth anniversary of Maharshi Valmiki, the Adi Kavi and author of the Ramayana.'
Why does the Indian government mark Valmiki Jayanti?
The Ministry of Culture routinely observes the jayantis of classical literary and spiritual figures as part of India's official cultural programming, recognising ancient textual heritage as a pillar of national identity and soft-power diplomacy.
