Dhanvantari is an avatar of Vishnu in Hinduism. He appears in the Vedas and Puranas as the physician of the gods (devas), and the god of Ayurveda. It is common practice in Hinduism for worshipers to pray to Dhanvantari seeking his blessings for sound health for themselves and/or others, especially on Dhanteras.

Bhagavata Purana states that Dhanvantari emerged from the Ocean of Milk and appeared with the pot of nectar during the story of the Samudra (or) Sagara Mathana whilst the ocean was being churned by the Devas and Asuras, using the Mandara mountain and the serpent Vasuki. The pot of Amrita was snatched by the Asuras or Demons, and after this event another avatar, Mohini, appears and takes the nectar back from the Asuras. It is also believed that Dhanvantari promulgated the practise of ayurveda.

1. Lord Dhanvantari is the Hindu God of medicine and the doctor of the Gods. He is also believed to be the founder of Ayurveda, the ancient Indian science of herbal medicine.

2. Dhanvantari’s origin dates back to the Puranas and more importantly to the legendary incident of Samudra Manthan. Lord Dhanvantari was the one who brought out the nectar of immortality or Amrit out of the depths of the kshirasagara (the milk ocean).

3. According to some legends, Dhanvantari has the power to cure snakebites and neutralize the effects of poison. He also has the ability to prevent deadly diseases and cure seemingly incurable ailments.

4. Some regard Dhanvantari as the 12th avatar of Lord Vishnu. He had received the knowledge of medicine from sage Bharadwaj. Dhanvantari is also regarded as the prince of Kashi in the Mahabharata.

5. The Dhanvantari Nighantu, one of the most important and earliest books of Ayurveda is said to have been written by Lord Dhanvantari himself. There are several other fascinating legends related to Lord Dhanvantari in Hindu mythology and Ayurveda is relevant even to this day.