Ayurveda Day 2025 date has been officially changed by the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India. The Centre recently announced that Ayurveda Day will now be observed on September 23rd every year. Previously, Ayurveda Day was celebrated according to the lunar calendar, which often created confusion and logistical issues. New date aims to give Ayurveda more visibility across the globe and ensure consistency in its celebration.
The Union Government has made an important update about Ayurveda. On May 13, 2025, the Ministry of Ayush announced that Ayurveda Day 2025 and all future observances will be held on September 23rd. The announcement was made through a Gazette Notification issued on March 23, 2025.
Earlier, Ayurveda Day was celebrated on Dhanteras, which is based on the lunar calendar. But since Dhanteras changes every year, the government wanted a date that is fixed and meaningful. September 23rd, which marks the autumnal equinox, was chosen to represent balance, just like Ayurveda promotes balance in life.
Ayurveda Day 2025 will be the first time the event is held on a fixed calendar date, September 23rd. It is being organised by the Ministry of Ayush, which is responsible for promoting traditional Indian systems of medicine. This change is expected to help schools, colleges, universities, research centres, and wellness clinics plan their events better.
It will also allow international partners to join and promote Ayurveda more effectively on a common global calendar. By shifting to a stable date, the government hopes to increase participation and build awareness about Ayurveda's role in preventive healthcare.
Ayurveda Day 2025 Overview | |
Date | September 23, 2025 |
Previous Date | Dhanteras (variable, October–November) |
Reason for Change | To provide a fixed, globally consistent date and eliminate logistical challenges from the variable lunar calendar. |
Symbolic Significance | September 23 aligns with the autumnal equinox, symbolizing balance in nature-a core Ayurvedic principle. |
Announced By | Ministry of Ayush, Government of India |
Purpose | Promote Ayurveda as a scientific, evidence-based, and holistic medical system |
Future Goals | Strengthen Ayurveda’s role in global health and wellness, and reinforce India’s leadership in traditional medicine |
Before 2025, Ayurveda Day was always celebrated on Dhanteras, just before the Hindu festival of Diwali. Dhanteras also marks the birthday of Lord Dhanvantari, considered the god of Ayurveda. While this was a meaningful choice, the date varied since Dhanteras usually falls in October or November based on the lunar calendar.
According to the Ministry, the date of Dhanteras will continue to vary between October 15 and November 12 in the coming years. This changeable date often caused confusion, and planning events became difficult. For international observers and institutions outside India, it was even more challenging to coordinate events on a moving target.
A fixed date like September 23rd offers stability and makes global collaboration easier.
The choice of September 23rd is not random. This day marks the autumnal equinox, when the day and night are almost equal in length. This astronomical event represents balance in nature, which is a core principle in Ayurveda. In Ayurvedic philosophy, balance is very important between body types (doshas), seasons, and mental states.
Choosing a date that symbolises balance was a thoughtful and symbolic decision. Also, September 23rd falls between seasons, making it the right time to talk about immunity, detoxification, and seasonal transitions, all important aspects of Ayurvedic wellness. Thus, the government’s choice connects both science and symbolism to strengthen the global identity of Ayurveda.
While the official Ayurveda Day 2025 theme is yet to be announced, past themes have focused on subjects like “Har Din Har Ghar Ayurveda” (Everyday Ayurveda in Every Home) and “Ayurveda for Poshan” (Nutrition through Ayurveda).
This year’s theme is expected to align with the new date’s significance and may focus on global wellness, seasonal health, or Ayurveda and Nature. The Ministry of Ayush will likely release the theme closer to the date.
The purpose of Ayurveda Day 2025 is to promote public awareness about Ayurveda’s preventive and curative health systems. This day is significant for several reasons:
It promotes evidence-based Ayurveda as a reliable health science.
It creates awareness about preventive healthcare and natural immunity.
It supports the government’s mission to globalise Ayurveda.
It encourages the youth to explore careers in Ayurvedic science.
It strengthens India’s soft power by showcasing traditional wisdom.
Ayurveda Day 2025 will inspire individuals to explore traditional practices and include them in daily life.
The Ministry of Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) is the central body behind the observance of Ayurveda Day 2025. Since its formation in 2014, the ministry has launched several initiatives to promote India’s traditional systems of medicine both nationally and globally.
In recent years, the Ministry has taken bold steps to integrate Ayurveda into global healthcare through initiatives like Ayush Health and Wellness Centres and Ayush Visa for Medical Tourism. It invites health professionals, students, NGOs, and researchers to participate in Ayurveda Day activities actively and spread the wisdom of Ayurveda across the world.
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