Dhanvantari

Dhanvantari
God of Ayurveda
Physician of the devas
Murti of Dhanvantari
Devanagariधन्वन्तरि
AffiliationVaishnavism, Adi Narayana, Deva, Siddhar
AbodeSamudra
MantraOm Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Dhanvantraye Amrutha Kalasha Hastaaya Sarva Maya Vinashanaya Trailokya Nathaya Shri Mahavishnave Namaha
WeaponShankha, Chakra
SymbolsAmrita, Leech
MountLotus
FestivalsDhanteras
Genealogy
Parents
  • Dirghatapas (father)
ChildrenKetuman

Dhanvantari (Sanskrit: धन्वन्तरि, romanized: Dhanvantari, Dhanvamtari, lit.'moving in a curve') is the physician of the devas in Hinduism. He is regarded as an avatar of Vishnu. He is mentioned in the Puranas as the god of Ayurveda.

During his incarnation on earth, he reigned as the King of Kashi, today locally referred to as Varanasi. Dhanvantari is also identified as the great-grandfather of Divodasa, the King of Kashi mentioned in the Vishnu Purana who is known as the father of surgery in Ayurveda.