Panchangam 26 October 2026, Monday: Valmiki Jayanti, Ashwina Purnima, Meerabai Jayanti and the End of Navapada Oli

Quick answer: Monday 26 October 2026 is Valmiki Jayanti and Ashwina Purnima. In Hyderabad, Purnima runs until 9:41 AM (IST), then Krishna Pratipada begins; Ashwini nakshatra lasts until 5:41 PM. Drik Panchang also lists Meerabai Jayanti and the end of the Jain Ashwina Navapada Oli. Take the Purnima bath and give in charity in the morning, then honour the poet-sage who gave the world the Ramayana.

Last night belonged to the moon; this morning belongs to the word. Valmiki is remembered as the first poet, the sage whose compassion for a wounded bird turned into the first shloka, and whose epic has shaped Indian life for millennia. On the same day, many remember Meera, whose songs to Krishna remain on countless lips. It is a day for stories, songs and the courage to begin again.

Today's Panchang (Hyderabad)

Source: Drik Panchang day panchang for Hyderabad. Muhurta and Rahu Kalam are not in our verified data for this date; please check a local panchang.

Today's observances in brief

• Valmiki Jayanti: the birth anniversary of Maharishi Valmiki. For the full story, puja vidhi, Ramayana recitation and diaspora ideas, read our Valmiki Jayanti 2026 guide and the essay on Maharishi Valmiki's philosophical contributions.
• Ashwina Purnima: the morning of the full moon, traditionally marked by a holy bath, charity and worship of Vishnu or Shiva. Since today is Monday, many add a Somavara abhishekam.
• Meerabai Jayanti: remembrance of the Rajasthani poet-saint whose life was given to Krishna.
• Ashwina Navapada Oli ends: the nine-day Jain observance of the Navapada closes with the full moon.

Purnimanta North India also enters the month of Kartik from tomorrow. Gaudiya Vaishnava communities begin the month of Damodar around now; see the Damodar month 2026 guide for their dates and the lamp offering.

Religious significance

Valmiki's place is unique. The Ramayana opens with him asking the sage Narada whether there is a person in the world who is truly virtuous, and Narada tells him of Rama. Later, seeing a hunter kill one of a pair of krauncha birds, Valmiki's sorrow (shoka) poured out as a verse (shloka), and the epic was born from that compassion. Sita found shelter in his ashram, and her sons Lava and Kusha learned the Ramayana from him and sang it before Rama. These are scriptural episodes from the epic.

The tale of Ratnakara, the robber who became a sage after chanting Rama's name, belongs to later tradition, and it is loved because it tells everyone that the past need not decide the future. Many communities, including the Valmiki community, celebrate this day with processions, Ramayana readings and service.

Meerabai, the sixteenth-century princess-saint, chose Krishna over status and comfort, and her songs speak of love that cannot be shaken. Ashwini, today's nakshatra, is presided over by the Ashvins, the divine healers. A day of the healing word, then: the poet who turned grief into scripture and the singer who turned longing into devotion.

Simple observance at home

1. Bathe early, before Purnima ends at 9:41 AM, and if possible add a few drops of Ganga water or simply remember the sacred rivers.
2. Light a lamp before Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman, or before Krishna if you are remembering Meera.
3. Offer flowers and fruit, and give some food, grain or money in charity as a Purnima daan.
4. Read the opening of the Ramayana's Bala Kanda in any translation, or tell the krauncha bird story to your family.
5. In the evening, sing one Meera bhajan or any Rama bhajan you know.

No materials? Read or listen to ten minutes of the Ramayana. Then forgive one person, or yourself, for something old. Valmiki's own story is about beginning again.

Essential versus optional: the morning bath and remembrance are the heart of the day. River snan, specific daan items, processions and community events are customs that vary by place.

Verse for the day

Kūjantaṃ rāma rāmeti madhuraṃ madhurākṣaram, āruhya kavitāśākhāṃ vande vālmīki kokilam

Meaning: I bow to Valmiki, the cuckoo who, perched on the branch of poetry, sings the sweet syllables 'Rama, Rama'. This well-known verse of salutation is traditionally recited before reading the Ramayana. Recite it with gratitude; it honours the poet, and asks for nothing in return.

What you can do today

• Complete your Purnima bath and morning prayer before 9:41 AM.
• Give food or clothing to someone in need as Purnima daan.
• Read one sarga of the Ramayana, or listen to a recitation with your family.
• Tell children the krauncha bird story and ask what compassion means to them.
• Sing or listen to a Meera bhajan in the evening.
• If you are Jain, close the Navapada Oli as your tradition directs.
• Since it is Monday, offer water to a Shiva lingam or picture.

For families and children

Valmiki Jayanti is a lovely day to start a family Ramayana habit: one short episode each evening through Kartik. Children respond strongly to the krauncha bird story; let them draw the two birds. Our Ramayana simplified retelling is a good place to start.

Hindus abroad: sunrise, sunset and tithi today

Local times below are for each city and are not converted from India. In the Americas and in London, Frankfurt and Amsterdam, Krishna Pratipada already prevails at local sunrise, so Purnima morning rites there were on 25 October; in Sydney, Dubai, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Durban, Purnima is still current at sunrise today.

Computed with HinduTone's panchang calculator, validated against Drik Panchang; festival dates abroad can differ by a day — follow your temple's panchang.

Frequently asked questions

When is Valmiki Jayanti 2026?

Drik Panchang lists Valmiki Jayanti on Monday 26 October 2026, on Ashwina Purnima. In Hyderabad, Purnima tithi is current at sunrise and ends at 9:41 AM IST.

Why is Sharad Purnima on 25 October but Ashwina Purnima also on 26 October?

Purnima began at 11:55 AM on 25 October and ends at 9:41 AM on 26 October. Night observances such as Kojagara need Purnima at moonrise, so they were on the 25th. Morning observances such as the Purnima bath and Valmiki Jayanti follow the tithi at sunrise, so they fall on the 26th.

Who was Maharishi Valmiki?

Valmiki is honoured as the Adi Kavi, the first poet of Sanskrit literature and the author of the Ramayana. The Ramayana itself tells how the first shloka rose from his grief at seeing a krauncha bird shot, and how Sita lived in his ashram where Lava and Kusha were raised.

Is the story of Valmiki being a robber in the Ramayana?

The well-known story of Ratnakara the highwayman who was transformed by chanting Rama's name comes from later tradition and popular retellings, not from the Valmiki Ramayana itself. It is beloved as a teaching about change, and can be told as such.

Is Meerabai Jayanti's date historically fixed?

Meerabai's exact birth date is not historically certain. Tradition remembers her on Sharad Purnima, and Drik lists Meerabai Jayanti today. Her bhajans to Krishna are sung across India.

What is Navapada Oli?

It is a nine-day Jain observance held twice a year, in Chaitra and Ashwina, devoted to the Navapada, the nine supreme objects of Jain veneration. Many observers keep ayambil, a single daily meal of simple food. The Ashwina Oli ends today.

A closing reflection

A hunter's arrow, a grieving sage, and the first verse of poetry: Valmiki teaches that sorrow, held with compassion, can become a gift to the world. May our own griefs soften into kindness, and may Rama's name be sweet on our lips, as it was on his.

Previous and next day

• Previous day: Panchangam 25 October 2026: Sharad Purnima and Kojagara Puja
• Next day: Panchangam 27 October 2026: Kartik begins (North) and Masik Karthigai
• Month view: October 2026 Hindu festivals, dates and rituals

Editor's note

Editor's note (9 October 2026): Panchang timings and festival observances can vary by location, regional calendar and family tradition. This guide follows Drik Panchang for Hyderabad (IST). Please verify local puja timings with a trusted panchang or priest.

Related guides

• Valmiki Jayanti 2026: Adi Kavi story, puja vidhi and NRI guide
• The philosophical contributions of Maharishi Valmiki
• Sharad Purnima 2026 guide
• Damodar month 2026
• November 2026 Hindu festival calendar