Dhanvantari

Dhanvantari Idol, Lord Dhanvantari was the physician of the Gods (in both the Vedas and Puranas) and an excellent surgeon. In Hinduism, devotees pray to Lord Dhanvantari seeking his blessings for healing.

Dhanvantari, the Hindu God in the ancient Indian Medicine is comparable to Aesculapius of Greek medicine. Shrimad Bhagvat purana states that when ancient demigods (Devas) were in serious peril, they appealed to Lord Vishnu for help. He told the demigods and demons (Asuras) to churn the ocean with the aid of the great Mandar Mountain and serpent Vasuki. From the liquid depth of ocean’s primeval cosmic life substance, rose the great physician Dhanvantari, clad in a white robe, with a pot of Amrit (nectar elixir of immortality) in his hand. He is one of the 14 Jewels (ratnas) which made their appearance in the course of this important mythical process of Samudramanthana.