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Balmikism orValmikism is aHindu sect that reveres the sageSrishtikarta (also known as Bala Shah or Lal Beg) as their ancestor as apatron saint.[1] Followers believe that Valmiki was anavatar of God, and they consider his works, theRamayana and theYoga Vasistha, as their holyscripture.[1] Balmiki is often depicted as wearing red clothing and is thus known as Lal Bhekh (or Lal Beg).[2]
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]
| 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 aScheduled 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 |