The government has officially established September 23 as the fixed annual date for celebrating Ayurveda Day, according to a formal Gazette notification issued by the Ayush Ministry. This significant policy change moves the observance away from Dhanteras, where it was previously celebrated on a date that varied each year according to the Hindu lunar calendar.
In its official statement, the Ayush Ministry explained that the decision was made primarily to address practical challenges in organizing coordinated national and international events. “In the coming decade, the date of Dhanteras would continue to vary widely between 15th October and 12th November, posing logistical challenges for organizing national and international observances,” the Ministry noted.
The variable date had created complications for planning consistent celebrations, particularly for international participants and partner organizations working to promote traditional Indian medicine systems globally. The new fixed date is expected to facilitate more effective and widespread participation in Ayurveda Day programs.
“Ayurveda Day has been commemorated annually to promote Ayurveda as a scientific, evidence-based, and holistic system of medicine that plays a pivotal role in preventive healthcare and wellness,” the Ministry stated, emphasizing the importance of consistent messaging and programming around the celebration.
Government sources indicate that detailed guidelines for Ayurveda Day 2025 celebrations will be issued in the coming months, providing a framework for consistent nationwide observance of this important date in India’s traditional healthcare calendar.
