South Asian News Network

Dhanawantari Jayanti and Arogyata Diwas are celebrated in Nepal today, commemorating the birthday of Dhanawantari, the Hindu deity who introduced Ayurveda, a Vedic medical practice based on herbal treatment. The day is observed annually on Kartik Krishna Trayodashi, the 13th day after the full moon day in the month of Kartik. Ayurveda medical practitioners observe the day to initiate their profession by making religious resolutions.

The day began with the establishment of the Ayurveda Campus, Rajakiya Ayurveda Mahavidhyalaya, in Naradevi, Kathmandu, which doubled as an Ayurveda teaching hospital. The Ayurveda Teaching Hospital (ATH), established in 1972, is a center of excellence in Ayurveda treatment and is supported by a team of highly qualified medical professionals. The god Dhanawantari is worshipped on the occasion. The day is celebrated at various institutions, including the Singhadurbar Vaidyakhana Development Committee, Ayurveda and Alternative Medicine Department, Teku, Ayurveda Hospital Naradevi, Ayurveda Campus Kirtipur, Nepal Sanskrit University, Ayurveda Campus Dang, and private Ayurvedic hospitals and colleges.