Government has designated 23 September as Ayurveda Day

The government of India has designated 23rd September as Ayurveda Day. Earlier, Ayurveda Day was observed on Dhanvantari Jayanti or Dhanteras Day. The Narendra Modi government started observing Dhanteras Day as Ayurveda Day in 2016.

According to Hindu mythology, Dhanvantari was the physician of God. The ancient system of medicine, Ayurveda, is attributed to Dhanvantari, who is said to have received this knowledge from Lord Brahma.

Reason for Change in the Date 

The government celebrates  Ayurveda Day to popularise and mainstream the traditional Indian medicine system. The objective is to promote Ayurveda as an evidence-based, scientific and holistic system of medicine for preventive healthcare and wellness.

The government wants to promote Ayurveda as an alternative holistic medicine in India and the world. To popularise Ayurveda, the government organises a series of events in India and abroad on Ayurveda Day to popularise Ayurveda.

The Dhanvantari Diwas, also celebrated as Dhanteras, is observed in the month of Kartik according to the traditional Hindu calendar. The Hindu calendar is a lunar calendar based on the movement of the Moon.

The  Gregorian calendar, which is based on the Sun's movement, is widely used in the country and abroad.

The Dhanteras normally fall in October /November of the Gregorian calendar.

The government faced problems planning events for Ayurveda Day, as the date of Dhanteras, according to the Gregorian calendar, varied yearly.

Hence, the government chose a fixed date, 23rd September, as Ayurveda Day.

Why was 23rd September chosen as Ayurveda Day?

In Sanskrit, Ayurveda means ‘Knowledge of Life.’ It focuses on achieving balance in the body, mind, and spirit to promote holistic well-being.

23rd September coincides with the autumnal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. On this day, the Sun is directly overhead on the equator, and days and nights are equal on Earth.

This day signifies the philosophy of Ayurveda, which calls for balance between the body, mind, and spirit. Thus, the government chose the natural event of “balance between day and night,” which occurs on 23rd September, as Ayurveda Day.

It will help the government plan events in India and abroad more systematically to popularise Ayurveda.

Equinox 

Equinox refers to the sun's position when the equator is directly overhead and the days and nights are equal. There are two equinoxes every year, the autumnal and the vernal equinox. 

Autumnal equinox—It is observed on 22 or 23 September when the Sun is directly over the equator as it crosses into the southern hemisphere.

Vernal Equinox- It is observed on 20 or 21 March when the Sun is directly overhead the equator as it crosses into the northern hemisphere. It marks the beginning of the Spring season in the northern hemisphere.