Balmikism

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A Valmiki Ashram in Southall, United Kingdom Balmiki.jpg
A Valmiki Ashram in Southall, United Kingdom

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. [1] Followers believe that Valmiki was an avatar of God, and they consider his works, the Ramayana and the Yoga Vasistha , as their holy scripture. [1] Balmiki is often depicted as wearing red clothing and is thus known as Lal Bhekh (or Lal Beg). [2]

Contents

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. [3]

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. [4] [5]

Demographics

State, U.TPopulationPopulation %Notes
Andhra Pradesh [6] 70,5130.083%In the Joint State of Andhara Pradesh during the 2011 census, the Valmiki caste had been counted as a Scheduled Tribe instead of a Scheduled Caste. 
Bihar [7] 207,5490.199%Counted as Hari, Mehtar, Bhangi
Chandigarh [8] 82,6247.82%Counted as Mazhabi, Balmiki, Chura or Bhangi
Chhattisgarh [9] 19,0160.074%Counted as Bhangi, Mehtar, Balmiki, Lalbegi, Dharkar
NCT of Delhi [10] 577,2813.43 %Counted as Chuhra (Balmiki)
Gujarat [11] 439,4440.72%Counted as Bhangi, Mehtar, Olgana, Rukhi, Malkana, Halalkhor, Lalbegi, Balmiki, Korar, Zadmalli, Barwashia, Barwasia, Jamphoda, Zampada, Zampda, Rushi, Valmiki
Haryana [12] 1,079,6824.25%Counted as Balmiki, Chura, Bhangi, Mazhabi and Mazhabi Sikh
Himachal Pradesh [13] 35,1500.51%Counted as Balmiki, Bhangi, Chuhra, Chura, Chuhre and Mazhabi
Jharkhand [14] 58,2420.17%Counted as Hari, Mehtar, Bhangi
Karnataka [15] 5,2810.0086%Counted as Bhangi, Mehtar, Olgana, Rukhi, Malkana, Halalkhor, Lalbegi, Balmiki, Korar, Zadmalli
Madhya Pradesh [16] 365,7690.5%Counted as Bhangi, Mehtar, Balmik, Lalbegi, Dharkar
Maharashtra [17] 217,1660.19%Counted as Bhangi, Mehtar, Olgana, Rukhi, Malkana, Halalkhor, Lalbegi, Balmiki, Korar, Zadmalli, Hela
Punjab [18] 3,500,87412.61%Counted as Mazhabi, Mazhabi Sikh, Balmiki, Chuhra, Bhangi
Rajasthan [19] 625,0110.91%Counted as Majhabi, Bhangi, Chura, Mehtar, Olgana, Rukhi, Malkana, Halalkhor, Lalbegi, Balmiki, Valmiki, Korar, Zadmalli
Uttarakhand [20] 118,4211.17%Counted as Mazhabi and Balmiki
Uttar Pradesh [21] 1,319,2410.66%Counted as Balmiki

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Kananaikil, Jose (1983). Scheduled Castes and the Struggle Against Inequality: Strategies to Empower the Marginalised. Indian Social Institute. p. 17.
  2. ↑ Leslie, Julia (22 November 2017). Authority and Meaning in Indian Religions: Hinduism and the Case of Valmiki. Routledge. p. 51. ISBN   978-1-351-77299-0.
  3. ↑ Dalal, Roshen (18 April 2014). Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide. Penguin UK. ISBN   978-81-8475-277-9.
  4. ↑ Berti, Daniela; Jaoul, Nicolas; Kanungo, Pralay (29 November 2020). Cultural Entrenchment of Hindutva: Local Mediations and Forms of Convergence. Taylor & Francis. ISBN   978-1-000-08368-2.
  5. ↑ "Finally, Bhagwan Valmiki's idol reaches temple". The Tribune . 29 November 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  6. ↑ "A-11 Appendix: District wise scheduled tribe population (Appendix), Andhra Pradesh - 2011" . Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  7. ↑ SC-14: Scheduled caste population by religious community, Bihar - 2011 (2021) India. Available at: https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/2115 (Accessed: 17 August 2024).
  8. ↑ SC-14: Scheduled caste population by religious community, Chandigarh - 2011 (2021) India. Available at: https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/2109 (Accessed: 17 August 2024).
  9. ↑ SC-14: Scheduled caste population by religious community, Chhattisgarh - 2011 (2021) India. Available at: https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/2125 (Accessed: 17 August 2024).
  10. ↑ SC-14: Scheduled caste population by religious community, NCT of Delhi - 2011 (2021) India. Available at: https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/2112 (Accessed: 17 August 2024).
  11. ↑ SC-14: Scheduled caste population by religious community, Gujarat - 2011 (2021) India. Available at: https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/2127 (Accessed: 17 August 2024).
  12. ↑ SC-14: Scheduled caste population by religious community, Haryana - 2011 (2021) India. Available at: https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/2111 (Accessed: 17 August 2024).
  13. ↑ SC-14: Scheduled caste population by religious community, Himachal Pradesh - 2011 (2021) India. Available at: https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/2107 (Accessed: 17 August 2024).
  14. ↑ SC-14: Scheduled caste population by religious community, Jharkhand - 2011 (2021) India. Available at: https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/2123 (Accessed: 17 August 2024).
  15. ↑ SC-14: Scheduled caste population by religious community, Karnataka - 2011 (2021) India. Available at: https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/2132 (Accessed: 17 August 2024).
  16. ↑ SC-14: Scheduled caste population by religious community, Madhya Pradesh - 2011 (2021) India. Available at: https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/2126 (Accessed: 17 August 2024).
  17. ↑ SC-14: Scheduled caste population by religious community, Maharashtra - 2011 (2021) India. Available at: https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/2130 (Accessed: 17 August 2024).
  18. ↑ SC-14: Scheduled caste population by religious community, Punjab - 2011 (2021) India. Available at: https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/2108 (Accessed: 17 August 2024).
  19. ↑ SC-14: Scheduled caste population by religious community, Rajasthan - 2011 (2021) India. Available at: https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/2113 (Accessed: 17 August 2024).
  20. ↑ SC-14: Scheduled caste population by religious community, Uttarakhand - 2011 (2021) India. Available at: https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/2110 (Accessed: 17 August 2024).
  21. ↑ SC-14: Scheduled caste population by religious community, Uttar Pradesh - 2011 (2021) India. Available at: https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/2114 (Accessed: 17 August 2024).
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