pujas and observances
What is a Dhanvantari puja and when is it performed?
Who Dhanvantari is
Dhanvantari is the physician of the gods in Hindu tradition. The Puranic tradition describes him as emerging from the great churning of the cosmic ocean, an event known as the Samudra Manthan. He rose from the waters carrying a pot of amrita, the nectar of immortality. He is seen as the source of Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of healing. Doctors, healers, and anyone seeking good health hold him in special regard.
The day of the puja
The puja falls on Dhanvantari Trayodashi, more widely known as Dhanteras. This is the thirteenth day of the dark half of the month of Kartik in the Hindu calendar, which places it two days before Diwali. The Bhagavata Purana is among the texts that speak of Dhanvantari and his place in the tradition. The day is sometimes called Dhanvantari Jayanti, marking it as his appearance day.
What the puja means
The puja is a way of asking for health, long life, and freedom from illness, for oneself and for the family. Because Dhanvantari is linked to Ayurveda, the day carries a special meaning for those who practice or follow traditional medicine. Offerings typically include flowers, lamps, and items associated with healing. In some homes and clinics, the puja is simple. In others it is more elaborate. Practice varies by region and family.
How it is observed today
Dhanteras is widely known for the custom of buying gold, silver, or new utensils, which is a separate folk tradition linked to prosperity. The Dhanvantari puja sits alongside this but has its own distinct meaning. Hospitals, Ayurvedic clinics, and medical colleges in India sometimes hold special observances on this day. For many families in the diaspora, the day is part of the broader Diwali celebrations, though awareness of Dhanvantari's role is growing. Some observe it quietly at a home altar, others as part of a community gathering.