Ayurveda Day is observed annually across the globe on Dhanwantri Jayanthi or Dhanteras, the festival of Dhanvantari, the Hindu god of Ayurveda to create awareness about the significance of Ayurveda and to promote Ayurvedic principles of healing in society.
The day aims to promote and preserve the health science of Ayurveda in line with the United Nations(UN)’s Sustainable Development Goal(SDG) 3: to ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages.
- The Ayurveda Day 2021 which falls on 2nd November 2021, marks the observance 6th Ayurveda Day in India.
Background:
i.Ayurveda Day, a global initiative by the Center for Public Diplomacy and Soft Power of India Foundation.
ii.The global initiative is supported by The Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH), the Government of India and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
Ayurveda Day in India:
In September 2016, the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) announced its decision to annually celebrate the Dhanvantari Jayanthi or Dhanteras as National Ayurveda Day. The Ministry of AYUSH celebrated the first National Ayurveda Day on 28th October 2016.
- The 5th Ayurveda Day was celebrated on 13th November 2020.
- The theme of Ayurveda Day 2021 is “Ayurveda for Poshan”.
Events of 6th Ayurveda Day:
The National Institute of Ayurveda(NIA), Jaipur, Rajasthan is hosting a 2-day event as a part of the commemoration of the 6th Ayurveda day, to encourage the Ayurvedic principles of wellness and healing in alignment with the theme, ‘Ayurveda for Poshan’.
- Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ayush, presided over the event and announced the release of Rs. 260 crores for expanding the infrastructure of NIA’s satellite centre of Panchkula, Himachal Pradesh.
- The celebrations of Ayurveda Day are held under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav initiative.
Highlights:
i.Ayurveda Swasthya Samiksha, a handbook containing daily routines and Ayurveda for Poshan, a booklet was released during the event.
ii.The event also witnessed the release of the digitized versions of three rare publications,
- The Charaka Samhita with Charaka-Nyasa commentary of Acharya Bhattar Harichandra & Charak-Panjika of Acharya Swamikumar;
- Charaka Samhita with Charaka Pradipika commentary written in the early 20th Century by Acharya Jyotish Chandra Saraswati
- Chakradutta with Ratnaprabha of Nishchala Kar and Tattvachadrika.
iii.Additionally, a special manuscript website portal was launched along with short videos, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) publications and films.
About Dhanteras:
- Dhanteras or Dhantrayodashi is a Hindu festival that celebrates the Hindu God of Ayurveda, Dhanvantari, an avatar of Lord Vishnu.Lord Dhanvantari is revered as a healer of all diseases.
- The word “Dhanteras” is made up of 2 words “Dhan” which refers to wealth and “Teras” which means “thirteen”.
- It is observed on the 13th day of Krishna Paksha on the month of Ashwin as per the Hindu calendar.
About The Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH):
Union Minister– Sarbananda Sonowal
Minister of State– Dr. Mahendra Munjapara (Constituency- Surendranagar, Gujarat)
