Schools in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh will be closed tomorrow, October 7, in observance of Valmiki Jayanti. This celebration honors the teachings of Maharishi Valmiki to embrace the anniversary of his birth. Valmiki is regarded as the Adikavi (first poet) of Sanskrit literature and as the author of the Ramayana.
In Jammu division, all government and private schools will remain closed today and tomorrow, in response to a rainfall warning issued by the Meteorological Department.
Delhi School Holiday
The Directorate of Education announced for the 2025-2026 academic session, at the beginning of the year, that Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti has been made a gazetted holiday in the annual school calendar of Delhi. Along with the school closures, all government offices will remain closed also for this observance.
A gazetted holiday is a public holiday recognized nationally which has been declared, and published, by the government in an official gazette.
UP School Holiday
The government of Uttar Pradesh announced that October 7, will be a public holiday due to the occasion of Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti and released a notification for this on October 5.
Jammu School Holiday
All schools in Jammu will be closed tomorrow due to the heavy rain warnings from the India Meteorology Department (IMD). Heavy rain to very heavy rain is expected in several parts of the region. Following this, the Directorate of School Education in Jammu issued a notification on October 5, announcing that all government and private schools would be closed in the division on October 6 and 7, 2025.
Maharishi Valmiki holds a respected place as the Adikavi, or the first poet, in Sanskrit literature for composing the Ramayana. Additionally, he is credited with the introduction of the shloka (or verse) form in Sanskrit literary traditions, which laid the foundation for Sanskrit poetry.
Valmiki Jayanti celebrates the birth of this great poet and sage. Maharishi Valmiki composed the Ramayana with inspiration from the Vedic sage Narad Muni, and blessings from Lord Brahma. The Valmiki Ramayana contains a total of 24,000 verses, in seven kandas (sections), including the Uttara Kanda of highest proportions.
Sage Valmiki is also a character in the Ramayana who provided a sanctuary for Sita at his hermitage, where he educated her two sons, Luv and Kush, during their time of exile.
Also Read: NEET PG 2025: Counselling Likely From Mid-October, Check Process & Updates
