Balmikism

This article is about a school of thought within Hinduism and is not to be confused with Valmiki caste.

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]

A Valmiki Ashram in Southall, United Kingdom

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.T	Population	Population %	Notes
Andhra Pradesh[6]	70,513	0.083%	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]	207,549	0.199%	Counted as Hari, Mehtar, Bhangi
Chandigarh[8]	82,624	7.82%	Counted as Mazhabi, Balmiki, Chura or Bhangi
Chhattisgarh[9]	19,016	0.074%	Counted as Bhangi, Mehtar, Balmiki, Lalbegi, Dharkar
NCT of Delhi[10]	577,281	3.43 %	Counted as Chuhra (Balmiki)
Gujarat[11]	439,444	0.72%	Counted as Bhangi, Mehtar, Olgana, Rukhi, Malkana, Halalkhor, Lalbegi, Balmiki, Korar, Zadmalli,Barwashia, Barwasia, Jamphoda, Zampada, Zampda, Rushi, Valmiki
Haryana[12]	1,079,682	4.25%	Counted as Balmiki, Chura, Bhangi, Mazhabi and Mazhabi Sikh
Himachal Pradesh[13]	35,150	0.51%	Counted as Balmiki, Bhangi, Chuhra, Chura, Chuhre and Mazhabi
Jharkhand[14]	58,242	0.17%	Counted as Hari, Mehtar, Bhangi
Karnataka[15]	5,281	0.0086%	Counted as Bhangi, Mehtar, Olgana, Rukhi, Malkana, Halalkhor, Lalbegi, Balmiki, Korar, Zadmalli
Madhya Pradesh[16]	365,769	0.5%	Counted as Bhangi, Mehtar, Balmik, Lalbegi, Dharkar
Maharashtra[17]	217,166	0.19%	Counted as Bhangi, Mehtar, Olgana, Rukhi, Malkana, Halalkhor, Lalbegi, Balmiki, Korar, Zadmalli, Hela
Punjab[18]	3,500,874	12.61%	Counted as Mazhabi, Mazhabi Sikh, Balmiki, Chuhra, Bhangi
Rajasthan[19]	625,011	0.91%	Counted as Majhabi, Bhangi, Chura, Mehtar, Olgana, Rukhi, Malkana, Halalkhor, Lalbegi, Balmiki, Valmiki, Korar, Zadmalli
Uttarakhand[20]	118,421	1.17%	Counted as Mazhabi and Balmiki
Uttar Pradesh[21]	1,319,241	0.66%	Counted as Balmiki

See also

• Valmiki caste
• Ardaas
• Pargat Diwas