Dhanvantari Homa
What is Dhanvantari Homa?
Deity: Lord Dhanvantari - physician of the gods and father of Ayurveda
In the Puranic story of the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan), Dhanvantari emerges carrying the amrita kalasha — the pot of the nectar of immortality — and the knowledge of healing. He is worshipped as the divine physician, and his birthday is celebrated as Dhanteras, two days before Diwali; India also marks it as National Ayurveda Day.
The homa is often requested by families during illness and by doctors, nurses and Ayurvedic practitioners who wish to dedicate their healing work.
KEY MANTRA
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय धन्वन्तरये अमृतकलशहस्ताय
सर्वामयविनाशनाय त्रैलोक्यनाथाय श्रीमहाविष्णवे नमः॥
Oṃ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya dhanvantaraye amṛta-kalaśa-hastāya sarvāmaya-vināśanāya trailokya-nāthāya śrī-mahāviṣṇave namaḥ.
Salutations to Lord Vasudeva as Dhanvantari, who holds the pot of nectar, who removes all disease, lord of the three worlds — to Sri Mahavishnu.
Benefits of Dhanvantari Homa
Prayers for health, healing and vitality for the whole family
Spiritual support during illness and recovery, alongside medical treatment
Blessings for those in healing professions
Who should perform Dhanvantari Homa?
Families with a member recovering from illness or surgery
Elders seeking continued good health
Doctors, nurses, therapists and Ayurvedic practitioners
When to perform it
Dhanteras (Dhanvantari Jayanti), Ekadashi, Thursdays, Hasta nakshatra, or whenever healing prayers are needed.
Dhanvantari Homa procedure, step by step
Ganapati puja and Sankalpa for the person's health.
Kalasha sthapana and Dhanvantari avahana.
Dhanvantari mantra japa and ahutis - offerings may include medicinal herbs.
Vishnu Sahasranama or Narayana Suktam recitation in some traditions.
Purnahuti and kalasha water given to the person.
Samagri, duration and priests
Special samagri: Ghee, tulsi, medicinal herbs (such as giloy and neem, per tradition), yellow flowers, havan samagri and samidha.
Duration & priests : 1.5–2 hours · 1–2 priests
Dhanvantari Homa cost
Many US temples do not publish a separate fee for this homa; it is usually priced like a standard single-priest homa (roughly $90–$250 at the temple, $150–$350 at home) — confirm with your local temple.
AgniBliss price (performed in India, live-streamed, with prasadam): $____ · priests: __ · japa count: ____ — what changes the price: number of priests, japa count, duration and special samagri.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who is Lord Dhanvantari?
A form of Vishnu who emerged from the churning of the ocean with the pot of amrita; he is honoured as the father of Ayurveda.
Q. When is Dhanvantari Jayanti?
On Dhanteras — the thirteenth lunar day (trayodashi) of the dark fortnight, two days before Diwali. The month is called Ashvina in the amanta calendar and Kartika in the purnimanta calendar.
Q. Does Dhanvantari Homa replace treatment?
No. It is a prayer for healing that complements, never replaces, medical care.
Q. Can I sponsor this homa for a relative in hospital?
Yes. The sankalpa is taken in their name and nakshatra; you can join live on their behalf.
