Valmiki Jayanti

Valmiki Jayanti

September-October; full moon day of the Hindu month of AsvinaThis festival celebrates the birthday of the poet Valmiki, whom Hindus believe to be the author of the epic poem Ramayana . A contemporary of Rama, the hero of the Ramayana, Valmiki himself is represented as taking part in some of the scenes he relates. No one knows for certain when the poem was written; estimates range from 500 to 300 b.c.e., with portions added between 300 b.c.e. and 200 c.e.
On Valmiki's birthday, people make processions and carry his portrait through the main streets of towns and villages. Members of the disadvantaged Indian classes pay particular homage to Valmiki, from whom they claim they are descended.
SOURCES:
DictHindu-1977, p. 246
RelHolCal-2004, p. 176