Congress leader Rahul Gandhi marked Valmiki Jayanti by offering prayers at the Valmiki Temple, and later meeting representatives of the Valmiki community at his mother's residence. He shared his experience on social media and praised Maharishi Valmiki, whose teachings of truth, justice, and compassion continue to inspire people today. The festival, observed annually on the full moon day of Ashwin, pays tribute to the revered poet and author of the Hindu epic, the Ramayana.
Valmiki Jayanti: Celebrating the Birth of the Ramayana's Author
Background
Valmiki Jayanti is an annual festival celebrated in India and Nepal to commemorate the birth anniversary of Maharishi Valmiki, the revered poet and author of the Hindu epic, the Ramayana. The festival falls on the full moon day of Ashwin, the seventh month of the Hindu calendar, which typically occurs in October or November.
According to legend, Valmiki was a notorious bandit named Ratnakara before being transformed into a saint. After witnessing the tragic events surrounding Lord Rama's exile, he was inspired to compose the Ramayana, a timeless epic that narrates the journey of Rama, the divine prince of Ayodhya.
Current Events
This year, Valmiki Jayanti was observed on October 20, 2023. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi marked the occasion by offering prayers at the Valmiki Temple in Delhi and meeting with representatives of the Valmiki community. He praised Valmiki's teachings of truth, justice, and compassion, which continue to inspire people today.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Who is Maharishi Valmiki? Maharishi Valmiki was a revered poet and sage who is believed to have composed the Ramayana, one of Hinduism's most sacred epics.
2. When is Valmiki Jayanti celebrated? Valmiki Jayanti is celebrated annually on the full moon day of Ashwin, typically in October or November.
3. What is the significance of the Ramayana? The Ramayana is an ancient Indian epic that narrates the journey of Lord Rama, a divine prince who faces numerous challenges and ultimately triumphs over evil.
4. Why is Valmiki Jayanti important? Valmiki Jayanti is a day to pay tribute to Maharishi Valmiki and the timeless teachings he imparted through the Ramayana. It also serves as an opportunity to promote values of truth, justice, and compassion.
5. How is Valmiki Jayanti celebrated? Valmiki Jayanti is traditionally celebrated with prayer offerings, recitals of the Ramayana, and cultural programs. It is also a day for feasts and community gatherings.
In a historical development, the Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar visited Pakistan to attend the SCO Summit 2024. This marked the first visit by an Indian EAM to Pakistan in nearly a decade, highlighting the importance of regional cooperation and dialogue. During his visit, Jaishankar addressed critical issues, including the fight against terrorism and extremism, while urging member states to adopt a firm stance against these issues. He also expressed gratitude to the Pakistani government for their hospitality, emphasizing the significance of dialogue in promoting regional cooperation. This visit could potentially open up avenues for future collaborations and improved relations between the two countries.
In a communication to the Union government, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Chandrachud formally proposed Justice Sanjiv Khanna, the second-most senior judge of the Supreme Court, as his successor. Upon approval by the government, Justice Khanna will become the 51st Chief Justice of India, serving a six-month tenure before his retirement in 2025. This follows the convention where the retiring CJI nominates the second-most senior judge as their successor, which is then approved by the government.
Former Karnataka Minister B. Nagendra has been granted conditional bail by the Special Court for MLAs/MPs in Bengaluru after being arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Valmiki Tribal Welfare Board scam case. Nagendra has alleged that the ED harassed him during his three-month custody, and claims that the BJP is behind the conspiracy to destabilise elected governments. He also denies any involvement in the scam and maintains that the SIT found no evidence against him. Despite the delay in completing technical formalities, Nagendra has been released from the Bengaluru Central Prison and vows to ensure BJP's defeat in the upcoming Assembly bypolls.
The Travancore Devaswom Board has selected S Arunkumar Namboothiri and Vasudevan Namboothiri as the new chief priests of Sabarimala and Malikappuram temples, respectively. The selection was made through a draw of lots from a panel of 24 shortlisted priests. Rishikesh Varma and M Vaishnavi of the Pandalam royal family oversaw the selection process in the presence of various officials. Don't miss out on the latest news on the go with Manorama Online App. © Copyright 2024 Onmanorama, All Rights Reserved.
Thanks to the Praja Darbar (public court) initiative undertaken by Education and IT Minister Nara Lokesh in Vijayawada, a 14-day-old infant from a tribal community was able to receive life-saving treatment. The parents of the baby boy expressed their gratitude to the minister for providing financial aid through the CM's Relief Fund when they came to the public event seeking medical assistance. During Wednesday’s Public Court, Lokesh also addressed various grievances from the public and promised to take action on issues such as stopping of social security pensions and encroachments in Vijayawada.
After heavy rains in Chennai, Deputy Chief Minister, Udhayanidhi Stalin, distributed food and relief materials to affected areas and oversaw relief work in various parts of the city. He assured that floodwaters have receded in areas under the Greater Chennai Corporation and refuted Opposition leader, Edappadi K. Palaniswami's demand for a white paper on the government's measures. Udhayanidhi praised the coordination of officials and also visited the Chembarambakkam lake to review the water level and instructed continuous monitoring.
In a series of false bomb threats to Indian airlines, a teenager, his father, and another person were issued a notice by the Mumbai police to join questioning. The threats, which were posted on social media platform X, targeted three international flights originating from Mumbai. Following investigations, the connection to these threats was traced to Rajnandgaon, and the authorities have taken legal action to prevent further misuse and ensure the safety of passengers and airport operations.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified before a public inquiry into foreign interference in federal electoral processes and democratic institutions, where he accused the Indian government of interfering in Canada's safety and sovereignty. He mentioned that there was only intelligence, but no hard evidence, to support the claims of Indian government agents being involved in the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year. Trudeau also stated that the Indian response to these allegations was to double down on attacks against his government and arbitrarily eject Canadian diplomats from India.
The Congress government in India has recently drawn criticism for its decision to withdraw all cases related to the 2022 violence in Hubballi. The incident, which involved clashes between a young man and a Muslim community in the area, had resulted in multiple arrests and charges under terror-related acts. However, after a change in government in 2023, the Siddaramaiah administration has decided to withdraw these cases, sparking debate and controversy. While some defend the government's decision, others express concerns about setting a dangerous precedent.