Ayurveda Day to Be Celebrated on 23rd September Every Year

The Government of India has officially designated 23rd September as the fixed annual date for Ayurveda Day, replacing the previous practice of celebrating it on Dhanteras, which follows a shifting lunar calendar. This change was formalized through a Gazette Notification on 23rd March 2025.

• Previously tied to the Hindu festival of Dhanteras (falling between mid-October and mid-November), Ayurveda Day lacked a consistent date, posing logistical challenges for national and international events. To resolve this, the Ministry of Ayush formed an expert committee to explore alternatives, ultimately selecting 23rd September, which aligns with the autumnal equinox.

• The equinox—a day when day and night are nearly equal—symbolizes balance in nature, mirroring Ayurveda’s core philosophy of harmony between mind, body, and spirit. This symbolic alignment reinforces Ayurveda’s role as a holistic, scientific, and preventive health system.