Dhanvantri is said to be the lord and originator of the Ayurveda for the human welfare. Dhanvantari is considered as the incarnation of the lord Vishnu. Every year the birthday of the Lord Dhanvantari is celebrated as the ‘Dhanteras’, just before the Diwali on thirteenth day before Amavasya in the month of Ashwin. Lord Dhanvantari is having four arms and in each of these arms he carries following things: medical herbs, pot of ambrosia, Shankha and Chakra.
During famous Samundra Manthan in which, Dev and Demons were churning the Samundra Manthan to get the pot of the Amrit, it is said that Dhanvantari rose from there only. Also from there Maa Lakshmi has also arose. Due to this fact, the birthday of Maa Lakshmi and Dhanvantari is celebrated on the same day called as ‘Dhanteras’. It is said that lord Brahma made the knowledge of the Ayurveda, but he wanted someone to actually look after it and also implement it.
Ayurveda is a sub part of the Atharva Veda and it was meant for reviving humans from the pain, sufferings they might suffer due to injury and other ailments like diseases. According to the legends it is also said that, this Knowledge was also told to god Indra, so that he can also help in spreading the ‘Gyan of Ayurveda’ to others.
Those people who belong to the field where they practice, the medicine and surgery, Dhanvantari are worshipped with great reverence and devotion. It is said that, whosoever worship him by lighting the oil Lamp (Diya) in the Dusk, in his house, things related to diseases ever affect them and they live a happy life.
So on the eve of Dhanteras, people light up Diya to commemorate the birthday of Dhanvantari and also Maa Lakshmi.
How People Celebrate Lord Dhanvantari Jayanti
Well, celebrations on this are already huge because of the reason that this is Dhanteras and it is the time just before the Diwali. On this day, people buy new products or household items and it is considered auspicious to buy anything on this day. Then in the evening or also in the morning, prayers are organized and chanting of various Shlolaks and prayers are done. Prayers of ma lakshmi are given special preference on this day.