Valmiki Jayanti: CM Visits Ancient Shivling and Sita Kutia

Kanpur, October 26: Marking Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reached the Valmiki Ashram in Bithoor on Monday, where he took part in a ritual worship session that drew attention from devotees.

The religious rites were performed under the guidance of two mahants. As the Chief Minister arrived, seven Vedic students from the Gurukul at Lav-Kush Ashram chanted sacred mantras, lending the premises a devotional character.

Highlights of the visit included worship at a centuries-old Shivling, which is believed to have been revered by Maharishi Valmiki. The Chief Minister then viewed Sita Kutia and the ancient Pilu tree within the ashram complex. Tradition holds that Maharishi Valmiki meditated and chanted beneath this tree.

Later in the day, the Chief Minister attended a public event at Nanarao Peshwa Park. There he inaugurated development works and laid the foundation stones for future projects in the local area.

The ashram occupies an important position in the Ramayana heritage. Believers hold that the epic was composed here by Maharishi Valmiki, that Mata Sita sought refuge during her exile, and that Lav and Kush were born on this sacred ground. The site continues to attract large numbers of pilgrims.