Uttar Pradesh declares public holiday for Valmiki Jayanti

The Uttar Pradesh government has announced a public holiday on Monday, October 26, 2026, to observe Valmiki Jayanti. The decision, issued via an amendment to the state's existing holiday schedule, applies to all 75 districts of the state.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is scheduled to visit the Valmiki Ashram in Bithoor to participate in Ramayana recitation and prayers. During this visit, the Chief Minister will also launch development projects worth over 411 crore rupees for the Bilhaur and Bithoor assembly constituencies.

To mark the occasion, the state will host religious and cultural programs across various locations, including Ayodhya, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, and Kanpur. These events will feature activities such as deepdan (lamp lighting), bhajans, and cultural performances aimed at promoting the values found in the Ramayana. The government is also continuing efforts to develop religious and cultural heritage sites through initiatives like the ‘Ramayana Circuit’ and ‘Ram Van Gaman Path’ to boost cultural tourism.