New Delhi — India marked the 10th National Ayurveda Day today with historic significance as the ancient healing system gained a permanent global calendar identity for the first time, moving from its traditional Dhanteras celebration to a fixed September 23 date coinciding with the autumnal equinox.
Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav inaugurated the celebrations at the All India Institute of Ayurveda in Goa under the theme “Ayurveda for People and Planet,” emphasizing the holistic medicine system’s role in addressing contemporary global health challenges including lifestyle disorders, climate-related diseases, and stress management.
The Ministry of Ayush announced this landmark shift through a gazette notification in March 2025, establishing September 23 as the permanent date to enhance consistency and global visibility. The date symbolically aligns with nature’s balance during the equinox, reflecting Ayurveda’s core philosophy of harmony between mind, body, and environment.
“Ayurveda is not just a healthcare system, it is a science of life rooted in the principle of harmony between the individual and the environment,” stated Minister Jadhav during the ceremony. “By designating September 23 as Ayurveda Day, India has given Ayurveda a global calendar identity”.
The celebrations featured the presentation of National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards 2025 to distinguished contributors, alongside the inauguration of new facilities including an Integrative Oncology Unit, Central Sterile Supply Department, and Blood Storage Unit at AIIA Goa.
Secretary of Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, highlighted that the first all-India NSSO survey confirmed Ayurveda as the most commonly used treatment system across both rural and urban areas, reinforcing its growing acceptance and scientific validation.
Building on last year’s global participation across 150 countries, Ayurveda Day 2025 aims for even wider international reach through awareness campaigns, youth engagement programs, wellness consultations, and international collaborations coordinated by Indian missions abroad.
The theme “Ayurveda for People and Planet” underscores the system’s dual focus on individual wellness and ecological sustainability, positioning traditional Indian medicine as a viable solution for modern health challenges while promoting environmental balance and preventive healthcare approaches worldwide.
