Dhanvantari Jayanti

Dhanvantari Jayanthi marks the birthday of Lord Dhanvantari, an avatar of Lord Vishnu and the God of Ayurveda. He is revered as the physician of the Gods and celestial beings. This festival is celebrated on the Krishna Paksha Trayodashi of Karthik masa. This day marks the onset of Dhanteras festival celebration. This day is also called Dhanvantari Trayodashi.

Dhanvantari Jayanti 2023

Dhanvatari Jayanti is celebrated throughout India by the practitioners of Ayurveda, a traditional medicine. As a salutation to this great celestial being, Dhanvantari award is given each year by Government of India to honour people who have contributed great things to the field of medical sciences.

Significance

Lord Dhanvantari was appointed by Lord Brahma to spread the science of medicine, Ayurveda to men on earth. Dhanvantari along with sages like Sushruta, Pauskalavata, Aurabha, Vaitarana created the science of Ayurveda with 8 major divisions -shalya, shalakya, kayachikitsa, bhutavidya, kaumarabhrtya, agadatantra, rasayanatantra, vajikaranatantra. He cascaded this knowledge to other sages and yogis with the framework of pratyaksa (perception), agama (authoritative scripture), anumana (inference) and upamana (analogy).

The name Dhanvantari is a sanskrit word, “dhanus” or “Dhan” denotes the science of surgery and anta means “the one who has seen the end or depths of it”. According to Rig Veda the word dhanvan means desert, Dhanvachara or Dhanvanchari/ Dhanvantari means the one who can transform a desert into an oasis with the pot of elixir the Lord holds in his hands.

Legend of Lord Dhanvantari

According to Bhagavata Purana, Lord Dhanvantari appeared when the devas and asuras were churning the Cosmic Ocean of milk for the nectar of immortality. He materialized with the nectar to revive celestial beings. Lord Dhanvantari appeared as a young and strongly built man with broad shoulders and bluish black complexion (sometimes depicted as golden complexion). He had strong arms, reddish eyes, and moved like a roaring lion. He was clad in bright yellow silk clothes, had curly hair anointed with oil and wore shining earrings made of pearl. He was seen with four arms holding a conch, leeches, healing herbs, Sudharshana chakra, and the long-sought pot of ambrosia, nectar of immortality. 

Based on Charaka Samhita, the knowledge of Ayurveda is said to be eternal and is transpires in each cycle of creation of the cosmic universe. Every time after the cycle, Lord Vishnu incarnates as Lord Dhanvantari to reestablish the tradition of Ayurveda to relieve humanity’s suffering.

Rituals

In South India, this day is a major celebration in Vishnu temples. Especially in Tamilnadu and Kerala there are temples are dedicated to Lord Dhanvantari. In these temples, Dhanvantari Jayanthi is celebrated with utmost devotion and special homa & poojas. Devotees observe fast on this day to cleanse their physical and energy system of toxic thoughts and elements.

It is mentioned in the scriptures that, “One who constantly chants or meditates the name of Dhanvantari will be released from all diseases.” Lord Dhanvantari is worshipped all over India as the God of Medicine and good health. In Ayurveda Maha Sammelan office in the premises of Dhanwantari Bhavan in Delhi, the big statue of Lord Dhanvantari is honoured and worshipped by all the Ayurvedic practitioners.

Mantra

Om Hreem Dhanvantari Mahavishnave Namaha
(or)
Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaaya Dhanvantaraye
Amrutha-Kalasa-Hasthaaya Sarvaamaya-Vinaashanaaya
Tri-Lokya-Naathaaya Shri Mahaavishnave Namaha

Benefits

Dhanvantari Jayanti festival dates between 2019 & 2029

Other Related Festivals