Kashi to recite Ramayana at Sage Valmiki temple, 20 other spots

In a bid to spread awareness about human, social and national values instilled in the Valmiki Ramayana, the recitation of the ‘Granth’ will be organised at around 20 locations, including Sage Valmiki Temple in Karaundi area of Varanasi, on the occasion of Valmiki Jayanti on October 31.

District administration on Thursday started preparation for the event. In Varanasi, regional tourism officer Keertiman Srivastava has been made the nodal officer of the event. District magistrate Kaushalraj Sharma along with regional tourism officer Keertiman Srivastava visited the temple and reviewed preparations of the event likely to be attended by chief minister Yogi Adityanath on October 31.

CM is likely to arrive in Kashi, said a senior official, pleading anonymity. Along with sage Valmiki temple, the recitation has also been planned at Markandeya Mahadev complex Kathy, Seergovardhan, Shooltankeshwar Shiva Temple. Alongside, the celebrations have also been planned at Sankuladhara Mutt, Nakateshwari Bhavani and four temples each in three tehsil areas of Varanasi, an official said. Priests well-versed in Sanskrit will recite Valmiki Ramayan,

said an official of the tourism department and commoners have been appealed to join the recitation.

The DM appealed to the people to further promote the social, human, national values enshrined in the Ramayana by joining the recitation of the Valmiki Ramayana on Valmiki Jayanti. According to a senior official of the district administration, the state government has decided to celebrate Valmiki Jayanti with great enthusiasm.

Regional Tourism officer Srivastava said that preparations for organising the recitation of Ramayana have been completed.

Prof Vinay Pandey of astrology department at Sanskrit Vidya Dharm Vigyan, BHU, says, “This is a very great move by the administration. It will help preserve and promote Sanskrit and Indian culture.”