New Delhi: Valmiki Jayanti is being celebrated across India today on the birth anniversary of the famous sage Maharishi Valmiki, who composed the epic, Ramayana in Sanskrit. On this day, followers of the Valmiki sect carry out Shobha Yatras or processions and sing devotional songs and bhajan.

Maharishi Valmiki is also called the Adi Kavi or the first poet in Sanskrit language. He is also responsible for writing the first ever Sanskrit shlokas.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the people of the nation on the occasion of Valmiki Jayanti. In his wishes, PM Modi said that the ideals of Maharishi Valmiki based on social harmony, equality and justice will continue to inspire the countrymen.