Kathmandu, November 13
The Dhanwantari Day is being observed across the country today by organising several programmes.
The day is celebrated on the thirteenth day of Kartik Krishna Paksha every year in commemoration of Lord Dhanwantari, the founder of Ayurveda, a Vedic science of medicine.
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Dhanwantari, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, emerged from the Samudra Manthan on this day, holding a jar of amrit (elixir of life) and the sacred text on Ayurveda. Goddess Lakshmi also emerged out of the milky water during the phenomenon. Hence, Lord Dhanwantari is worshipped on this day, along with Goddess Lakshmi.
Nepal has formally started celebrating the day since the establishment of Naradevi Ayurveda Campus in Kathmandu in 1985.
