In a significant move to enhance global recognition and ensure consistency, the Government of India has announced that Ayurveda Day will now be observed on September 23 every year. This decision, officially notified through a Gazette Notification dated March 23 2025, marks a shift from the previous tradition of celebrating the day on Dhanteras, which falls on varying dates each year based on the lunar calendar.
Ayurveda Day is observed to promote Ayurveda as a holistic, evidence based system of preventive and wellness-oriented healthcare. Until now, the date coincided with Dhanteras, typically celebrated between mid-October and mid-November, making it difficult to plan large-scale national and international events.
To address this challenge, the Ministry of Ayush established a committee to recommend a fixed date for the observance. After evaluating multiple options, September 23 was selected for both practical and symbolic reasons.
This date aligns with the autumnal equinox, a time when day and night are nearly equal, symbolising balance in nature. This harmony reflects the core principles of Ayurveda, which emphasises balance between body, mind, and spirit.
The Ministry encourages citizens, healthcare professionals, academic institutions, and global partners to mark September 23 as the new date for Ayurveda Day and actively participate in its observance. This change aims to strengthen Ayurveda’s presence in the global health discourse and reinforce its role in promoting sustainable, preventive healthcare.
