Valmiki Jayanti, also called Pargat Diwas, is the birth anniversary of Valmiki which is celebrated on the full moon day of Ashvin (September or October). It commemorates the birth of this important sage-poet in the Indian tradition. Although it is not a public government holiday in India at the national level, Valmiki Jayanti is considered a restricted or optional holiday and can be chosen as a day off. Some individual states in India have declared it to be a public holiday.