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29/10/24 21:51 PM IST

National Ayurveda Day 2024

In News
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched health-linked projects worth nearly Rs 12,850 crore on the ninth Ayurveda Day and also the festival of Dhanteras. 
Ayurveda day
  • Ayurveda is the ancient Indian school of medicine that focuses on holistic well-being.
  • The central government started Ayurveda Day celebrations in 2016 to create more awareness about Ayurveda.
  • The birth anniversary of Dhanvantri was chosen to mark this day, as Dhanvantri is considered the physician of Gods.
  • He is also considered to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
  • The term Ayurveda denotes the “knowledge of life”.
  • Government of India has been observing Ayurveda Day every year on Dhanawantari Jayanti (Dhanteras) since 2016 to raise awareness about Ayurvedic principles, medicinal herbs, and lifestyle practices.
  • In India, the knowledge of Ayurveda is attributed to Dhanawantari, the divine physician who received this knowledge from the Lord Brahma.
  • Ayurveda Day honors Lord Dhanvantari’s contributions, aiming to raise awareness about Ayurveda’s foundational principles, healing practices, and lifestyle approaches.
  • The logo of the National Medical Commission (NMC) also features a colourful image of Dhanvantri.
  • For Ayurveda Day 2024, the theme is ‘Ayurveda Innovation for Global Health’, and the focus is on four areas: women’s health, workplace wellness, school wellness programmes, and food innovation.
Dhanvantri
  • Dhanvantri is believed to have appeared from the ocean bearing a pot of amrita (nectar of immortality) during ‘samudra manthan’, or the churning of the ocean by the Devas and the Asuras.
  • Brahma had advised the Devas to churn the ocean of milk for amrita.
  • The mountain Mandara was placed on the back of Akupara, king of turtles, and the churning was done using the serpent Vasuki.
  • After Dhanvantari appeared carrying amrita, Lord Vishnu took the appearance of Mohini, and, tricking the asuras, distributed it to the Devas.
  • Dhanvantri, thus, is worshipped on the day of his appearance to pray for good health, and a nourished, robust life.
  • It is believed that first, Dhanvantri appeared during the samudra manthan, and then Goddess Lakshmi in the evening.
  • Lakshmi after her appearance chose to wed Lord Vishnu.
  • Thus, on the day of Dhanteras, both Dhanvantri and Lakshmi are worshipped, for good health, prosperity, and all things auspicious.
  • Dhanvantri in an incarnation appeared on Earth as the King of Kashi, Divodasa.
  • In this form, he passed on the knowledge of Ayurveda, which he had learnt from Lord Brahma, to a group of sages, which included Susruta, the great Indian surgeon.
  • Dhanvantari is often depicted with four hands, holding a pot of amrita, a discus, a conch, and a leech.
  • Sometimes, along with amrita and conch, he is shown holding scriptures and herbs.
Source- Indian Express

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