⚡ Quick Summary
Valmiki Jayanti 2026 is on Monday, October 26, the Ashwina Purnima day. For Hyderabad, the Purnima tithi runs from 11:55 AM on October 25 to 9:41 AM on October 26, with sunrise at 6:12 AM. Maharishi Valmiki is remembered as the Adi Kavi, the first poet, and the author of the Ramayana. The Centre lists the day as a restricted holiday. Research cutoff: October 19, 2026.
Valmiki Jayanti marks the birth anniversary of the sage traditionally credited with composing the Ramayana. This guide explains when the day falls in 2026, why calendars can differ, who Valmiki is in tradition, and what to check about holidays.
The day has not yet arrived as of our research date, so everything about 2026 below is a calendar calculation or a published list, not a report of events.
Valmiki Jayanti 2026: Date and Tithi Timings
HinduTone lists Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti on Monday, October 26, 2026, on Ashwina Purnima. Its panchang for Hyderabad gives these times in IST:
| Detail | Time (Hyderabad, IST) |
|---|---|
| Purnima tithi begins | 11:55 AM, October 25 |
| Purnima tithi ends | 9:41 AM, October 26 |
| Sunrise, October 26 | 6:12 AM |
| Sunset, October 26 | 5:48 PM |
| Moonrise, October 26 | 5:52 PM |
Because the Purnima tithi is still running at sunrise on October 26, that is the day most Indian calendars use for the Jayanti. Sharad Purnima, the night of the full moon itself, is placed on October 25 by many calendars. Our Sharad Purnima guide explains that split.
Why times differ by city
Tithi start and end times change with longitude, and sunrise changes with latitude. Drik Panchang's page for Lancaster, California gives Sunday, October 25 for the same festival, because the tithi window there falls differently against local sunrise and daylight saving time. For an Indian city, use a panchang set to your own location.
Who Was Maharishi Valmiki?
Drik Panchang describes Valmiki as the first poet of Sanskrit literature, called the Adi Kavi, and the author of the Ramayana, a seven-canto epic of about 24,000 verses including the Uttara Kanda. Tradition treats him as a contemporary of Rama. Drik notes that historians debate when Rama lived, so his period is uncertain and no birth year can be stated.
The Ratnakar legend
A well-known story says Valmiki was once a highway robber named Ratnakar. Sage Narada guided him toward devotion to Rama, and after long penance an anthill formed around him, which is the origin of the name Valmiki. This is a traditional account, and different retellings vary in detail.
The hermitage and Lava-Kusha
According to the Ramayana, Valmiki gave shelter to Sita in his hermitage after Rama sent her away. Her twin sons, Lava and Kusha, were born there, and he taught them the epic. This is why the sage is also remembered as a teacher.
How the Day Is Observed
Observance varies by community and region. Common practices described around the festival include:
- Reading or reciting passages of the Ramayana, often in temples and community halls.
- Processions and portraits of the sage, with devotional singing.
- Charity and community meals in his name.
- Fasting or puja at home, in keeping with Purnima customs.
We did not find a single official programme for 2026, so check with your local temple, community organisation or municipal notice for events.
Is Valmiki Jayanti a Holiday in 2026?
The Central Government's 2026 holiday list, as reproduced by GConnect, shows Maharishi Valmiki's Birthday on Monday, October 26 as a restricted holiday in Annexure-II. Each employee may take any two restricted holidays. It is not on the gazetted list. The same list shows Dussehra as a gazetted holiday on October 20, as covered in our Dussehra 2026 guide.
State governments publish their own calendars, so schools and offices may close in some states and stay open in others. For banks, closures are regional, and the page we read says bank holidays follow Department of Financial Services instructions. See our October bank holidays list, and note the separate bank-union strike question explained in our bank strike article.
Other Observances on October 26
HinduTone also lists Meerabai Jayanti, taken from Drik Panchang, and says her exact birth date is not historically certain. The Jain Navapada Oli observance ends the same day, and Purnimanta North India enters the month of Kartik the next day. For a wider view of the date, read our October 26, 2026 overview.
Practical Checklist
- Look up your city's Purnima end time, which is in the morning of October 26 in Hyderabad.
- Confirm your state or employer holiday list.
- Check local event notices before travelling to any procession or satsang.
- If you fast, follow your family or community tradition for the parana.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the date of Valmiki Jayanti in 2026?
Monday, October 26, 2026, according to HinduTone and the Central Government's restricted-holiday list.
Who is called the Adi Kavi?
Maharishi Valmiki, regarded in tradition as the first poet of Sanskrit literature.
Is Valmiki Jayanti a public holiday?
It is a restricted holiday for Central Government offices. State and bank holidays vary, so check your local list.
When does the Purnima tithi end?
At about 9:41 AM IST on October 26 for Hyderabad. Times differ by city.
Conclusion
Valmiki Jayanti on October 26, 2026 follows directly on Sharad Purnima and honours the sage tradition links to the Ramayana. Confirm the tithi and holiday status for your own city, and use our October 26 overview to see what else falls on the date.
