The Hindu god of medicine who has
also been the king of Varanasi according to Sushruta is an avatar of Lord
Vishnu. He is mentioned in the Puranas as the god of Ayurveda. He, during the Samudramanthana arose from the Ocean of
Milk with the nectar of immortality. It is common practice in Hinduism for
worshipers to pray to Dhanvantari seeking his blessings for sound health for
themselves and/or others, especially on Dhanteras or Dhanwantari Trayodashi. The
Indian Government has declared that Dhanwantari Trayodashi every year would be
celebrated as "National Ayurveda Day".
Birthday Celebration
His birthday is celebrated by the
practitioners of Ayurveda every year, on Dhanteras, two days before Diwali, the
Hindu festival of lights. It is also celebrated as National Ayurveda Day in
India.
Temples in India
In Konkan, There is a Dhanvantari temple at Dapoli, District Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. Many devotees from konkan and rest of Maharashtra visit the temple and offer their prayers. There are a few dedicated temples to Dhanvantari in South India especially in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, where ayurveda is highly practised and patronised.