The practice to observe the Ayurveda Day, which falls on Dhanwantri Jayanti, was started by the Union Ministry of Ayush in 2016. Dhanvantari Jayanti was preferred for the celebration of Ayurveda Day to nationalize this system of medicine and to make it global.

The day is marked to spread awareness of the importance of Ayurveda in our daily lives. Besides, National Ayurveda Day is observed to focus on the strengths of Ayurveda and its unique treatment principles. The central government wants to reduce the burden of diseases by utilizing the potential of Ayurveda.

The National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur commemorated 6th National Ayurveda Day by hosting a two-day event to encourage the Ayurvedic principles of wellness and healing in alignment with the theme, ‘Ayurveda for Poshan’on National Ayurveda Day 2021.

National Ayurveda Day is observed on the day of Dhanteras every year which is also observed as Dhanvantri Jayanti, the birth anniversary of the God of Ayurveda. It is said that Lord Dhanvantari emerged towards the end of the Sagar Manthan when the Devas and Asuras were churning the sea, with the nectar of immortality (Amrit).