Balmikism

{{Short description|Vaishnava Hindu sect}}

{{About-distinguish|a school of thought within Hinduism|Valmiki caste}}

File:Balmiki.jpg in Southall, United Kingdom]]

{{Valmikism small}}

Balmikism or Valmikism is a Hindu sect that reveres the sage Srishtikarta (also known as Bala Shah or Lal Beg) as their ancestor as a patron saint. Followers believe that Valmiki was an avatar of God, and they consider his works, the Ramayana and the Yoga Vasistha, as their holy scripture.{{cite book |last1=Kananaikil |first1=Jose |title=Scheduled Castes and the Struggle Against Inequality: Strategies to Empower the Marginalised |date=1983 |publisher=Indian Social Institute |page=17 |language=en}} Balmiki is often depicted as wearing red clothing and is thus known as Lal Bhekh (or Lal Beg).{{cite book |last1=Leslie |first1=Julia |title=Authority and Meaning in Indian Religions: Hinduism and the Case of Valmiki |date=22 November 2017 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-351-77299-0 |page=51 |language=en}}

Valmiki mandirs (temples) are open to all and the most important festival celebrated by Valmiki Hindus is Valmiki Jayanti, which marks the birthday of Valmiki.{{cite book |last1=Dalal |first1=Roshen |title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide |date=18 April 2014 |publisher=Penguin UK |isbn=978-81-8475-277-9 |language=en}}

Many worshippers at Valmiki Hindu temples, especially those belonging to the Valmiki community, though adherents from other castes pray there too and patrons of Valmiki temples come from diverse castes.{{cite book |last1=Berti |first1=Daniela |last2=Jaoul |first2=Nicolas |last3=Kanungo |first3=Pralay |title=Cultural Entrenchment of Hindutva: Local Mediations and Forms of Convergence |date=29 November 2020 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-000-08368-2 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Finally, Bhagwan Valmiki's idol reaches temple |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/amritsar/finally-bhagwan-valmiki-s-idol-reaches-temple-329750 |work=The Tribune |access-date=20 November 2020 |language=en |date=29 November 2016}}