Dhanvantari Jayanti to mark 6th Ayurvedic Day to be observed on 2 Nov, writes Dr. Deepmala Deb

Nov. 1: Dhanvantari Trayodashi is observed two days before Diwali. As name suggests it is observed during Trayodashi Tithi of Krishna Paksha. The tithi is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Dhanwantari, the God of Ayurveda. Lord Dhanvantari is the physician of Gods and considered one of the many incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The day of Dhanvantari Trayodashi is also known as Dhanvantari Jayanti.

According to ancient treatises of Hindu Mythology, during the churning of the milky ocean i.e Samudra Manthan, Dhanvantari emerged with the nectar pot on the very same day. Hence for those who practice Ayurveda or medicines, the day of Dhanvantari Trayodashi is very significant as He is the Divine physician. On this day people worship Lord Dhanvantari and pray for the good health.

This Dhanwantari Jayanti has been celebrated with great pomp and show in the pioneer Ayurveda institute in Guwahati named Govt Ayurvedic College & Hospital , Jalukbari, almost since its inception in 1948. Also it is celebrated in the North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and Homeopathy , Shillong, since some years now. But this year a great initiative has been taken by a newly formed organisation of Ayurvedic Doctors named Ayurvedic Medical Organization (AMO) Trust. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Minister of AYUSH, Sarbananda Sonowal Sir has officially inaugurated and launched AMO (Ayurvedic Medical Organization) in the first week of October, 2021.

This very juvenile organisation has spread its wings in almost every district in Assam within a few days coordinating network of Registered dedicated Ayurvedic doctors working in public as well as private sectors. The first initiative after its inception of this Trust organisation is the celebration of Dhanwantari Jayanti in every district by the AMO wings with an objective of Awareness for Ayurveda among the general masses and organisation of Series of Free Ayurvedic Health camps.

In the district of Cachar, for the very first time a similar initiative has been taken by the Ayurveda Doctors of the district with collaboration with many Ayurveda enthusiasts, organisations, Companies and retailers as well to make it a milestone program for initiation of awareness on Ayurveda in the general population of the district.

Hand in hand with almost all the districts of Assam in both the valleys, Cachar will be celebrating Dhanwantari Jayanti this year on 2 November, Tuesday at Bharat Sevasram Sangha, Tarapur Silchar. With Dhanwantari Puja, the day-long observation will be started at 8.00 AM, which will be followed by Awareness Camp on Ayurveda and Free health check up in the premises of Bharat Sevasram Sangha, Tarapur Silchar maintaining strict COVID protocols.

The main objective of the Ayurvedic Medical Organization (AMO) Trust is :

• Promotion and development of the Ayurvedic system of medicine in the entire north-eastern region along with Yoga for overall benefit of physical and mental health.
• To work for the welfare and progress of the people engaged with the Ayurvedic system of medicine
• To make general people aware about the usefulness and benefit of the Ayurvedic system of medicine through various health camps, awareness workshops/ seminars/ exhibitions.
• To explore the basic problems of Ayurvedic doctors and students in general and to resolve their problems.
• To help the government to develop proper health policy/ drug policy; to establish, support and empower the local cultivators for medicinal and aromatic plant cultivation, herbal garden and nursery which will help to generate revenue in due course of time.
• To work for Swadeshi movement in the healthcare system and to develop coordination and cordial relations between the agencies working for betterment of medical ailments.

Already pre-celebration of Dhanwantari Jayanti has been started in the capital city Guwahati with collaboration of various volunteering organisation arranging camps on Poshan through Ayurveda, Awareness campaigns, Yoga sessions, webinars etc.

Dr Deepmala Deb is M.S (Ay) Surgery