233-year-old Valmiki Ramayana manuscript gifted to Ram Katha Museum, Ayodhya
A rare 233-year-old Sanskrit manuscript of the Valmiki Ramayana, dated 1792 CE, was permanently gifted to the International Ram Katha Museum in Ayodhya, the Culture Ministry said on 20 January 2026.
Summary
Prof Shrinivasa Varakhedi, Vice Chancellor of the Central Sanskrit University, presented the manuscript of the Vālmīkirāmāyaṇam with the Tattvadīpikā commentary by Maheshvara Tīrtha to Nripendra Misra, Chairman of the Executive Council of the Prime Ministers Museum and Library. Written in Sanskrit in Devanagari script, it dates to Vikrama Samvat 1849 (1792 CE) and contains five kandas: Bāla, Araṇya, Kiṣkindhā, Sundara and Yuddha. Earlier on loan to Rashtrapati Bhavan, it has now been gifted permanently to the Antarrashtriya Ram Katha Sangrahalaya, Ayodhya.
Key facts
- Manuscript
- Vālmīkirāmāyaṇam with Tattvadīpikā commentary
- Commentator
- Maheshvara Tīrtha
- Date
- Vikrama Samvat 1849 (1792 CE)
- Kandas
- Bāla, Araṇya, Kiṣkindhā, Sundara, Yuddha
- Presented by
- Prof Shrinivasa Varakhedi, VC, Central Sanskrit University
- New home
- International Ram Katha Museum, Ayodhya (earlier on loan to Rashtrapati Bhavan)
Practice MCQs 3 questions
The 233-year-old Valmiki Ramayana manuscript gifted in January 2026 was given to which museum?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — International Ram Katha Museum, Ayodhya
PIB (Culture): the manuscript has been permanently gifted to the Antarrashtriya Ram Katha Sangrahalaya, Ayodhya.
The Valmiki Ramayana manuscript gifted to the Ram Katha Museum carries which classical commentary?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Tattvadīpikā by Maheshvara Tīrtha
PIB (Culture): the manuscript is the Vālmīkirāmāyaṇam with the Tattvadīpikā ṭīkā by Maheshvara Tīrtha.
Consider the following statements about the Valmiki Ramayana manuscript gifted in January 2026: 1. It dates to Vikrama Samvat 1849 (1792 CE). 2. It contains all seven kandas, including the Uttarakanda. 3. It was earlier on loan to Rashtrapati Bhavan. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 1 and 3 only
PIB (Culture): the manuscript dates to VS 1849 (1792 CE) and was earlier loaned to Rashtrapati Bhavan; it comprises five kandas — Bāla, Araṇya, Kiṣkindhā, Sundara and Yuddha — so statement 2 is wrong.