‘Ayurveda’ is an age-old knowledge of life science that has been traditionally helping millions of people in India in maintaining good health and controlling disease. Lord Dhanwantari is known as the ‘God of Ayurveda’ and is believed to be one of the incarnations of Vishnu.
As per the Hindu calendar the birthday of Dhanwantri is celebrated on Kartika Krishna Trayodashi. There is a belief that on this day, Bhagawan Dhanwantari emerged with a pot of nectar and often depicted as Lord Vishnu with four hastas (hands), holding Shankha, Chakra, Jalouka (leech) and Amrita kalasha (nectar pot).
Dhanwantari is conferred with the virtues of granting health and wealth. Often this day is known as Dhanteras, which is celebrated two days before Deepawali.
The Kalinga-Ayurveda Parampara is very old. Even in the Jagannath culture we find ‘Ayurveda seva’ which is rendered when the deities fall ill. Our State has produced many good Kavirajs like Vaidyaratna Maguni Bramha, Laxman Mishra, Ananta Tripathysharma, Padmashri Ghanashyam Mishra and Vaidya Bhagwan Dash to name a few.
The Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, observes the Ayurveda Day every year on Dhanawantari Jayanti (Dhanteras) since 2016 with an aim to contribute towards the National Health System and programmes. In Odisha, this day is well celebrated at the State’s premier institute - Gopabandhu Ayurveda Hospital, Puri, Government Ayurvedic College, Balangir, KATS Ayurveda College, Ankushpur, SSN Ayurveda College, Nrusinghnath and Sri Sri Ayurveda College, Cuttack. The theme for year 2022, is ‘Har Din Har Ghar Ayurveda.’ This year the 7th Ayurveda Day is being celebrated on October 23.
(Dr Dash is Lecturer, Department of Panchakarma, Govt. Ayurvedic College & Hospital, Balangir, Odisha; Email: drbiswajitdash@yahoo.com, Mob: 9437218747)
