Ministry of Ayush, in collaboration with its premier Siddha institutions and the Government of Tamil Nadu, will celebrate 9th Siddha Day at Kalaivanar Arangam, Chennai, on 6 January. Siddha Day is observed annually to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sage Agathiyar, revered as the father of Siddha medicine.
Theme (2026): “Siddha for Global Health”
Key Organisers and Partners
- National Institute of Siddha (NIS)
- Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS)
- Directorate of Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy, Government of Tamil Nadu
Key Highlights of 9th Siddha Day
- Participation of Siddha practitioners, scientists, academicians, scholars, and students from Tamil Nadu and other States
- Presence of:
- Senior members of Siddha statutory bodies
- Researchers from NIS and CCRS
- Officials from the Ministry of Ayush and Government of Tamil Nadu
- Large participation from:
- Undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students
- Government Siddha Medical Colleges at Chennai and Palayamkottai
- Self-financing Siddha colleges from Tamil Nadu and Kerala
- Felicitation of five eminent personalities for their outstanding contributions to the Siddha system of medicine
Significance of Celebration
- Showcases the role of Siddha medicine in preventive healthcare, research, and wellness
- Enhances public awareness about Siddha’s scientific and therapeutic relevance
- Reaffirms government efforts to:
- Strengthen Siddha’s integration into healthcare delivery
- Promote research collaboration and academic advancement
- Secure wider national and global recognition for Siddha medicine
Why Theme “Siddha for Global Health” Matters
The theme highlights the contemporary relevance of Siddha medicine in addressing modern global health challenges such as:
- Preventive healthcare
- Lifestyle and non-communicable diseases
- Holistic wellness and integrative medicine
It reflects India’s broader vision of positioning traditional medical systems within global health frameworks, aligned with wellness diplomacy and evidence-based traditional medicine.
Siddha System of Medicine
- One of the six recognised AYUSH systems
- Originated in Tamil-speaking regions of South India
- Emphasises:
- Prevention over cure
- Balance of bodily elements
- Use of herbs, minerals, and lifestyle practices
Agathiyar
- Revered as the father of Siddha medicine
- Credited with:
- Systematising Siddha principles
- Authoring classical Siddha texts
- His birth anniversary is observed as Siddha Day (6 January) every year
National Institute of Siddha
- Autonomous institute under the Ministry of Ayush
- Located in Chennai
- Focuses on education, research, and clinical practice in Siddha medicine
Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS)
- Apex research body for Siddha under the Ministry of Ayush
- Conducts clinical, drug, and fundamental research