9th Siddha day to be celebrated in Chennai on January 3

The Ministry of Ayush, in association with the National Institute of Siddha (NIS), the Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS), and the Directorate of Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy, Government of Tamil Nadu, will celebrate the 9th Siddha Day on January 3, 2026 , at Kalaivanar Arangam, Chennai . The celebrations, themed “Siddha for Global Health,” mark the birth anniversary of Sage Agathiyar , revered as the father of the Siddha system of medicine. Siddha Day is traditionally observed every year on January 6 .

The event will be inaugurated and presided over by the Vice President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan . It will also be attended by Shri Prataprao Jadhav , Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Ayush and Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; Shri Ma. Subramanian , Tamil Nadu Minister for Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare; Padma Shri Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha , Secretary, Ministry of Ayush; Dr. P. Senthil Kumar , Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Tamil Nadu; and Smt. M. Vijayalakshmi , Director, Directorate of Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy.

The celebrations will bring together Siddha practitioners, scientists, academicians, scholars, and students from across Tamil Nadu and other States. Senior members of Siddha statutory bodies, researchers from NIS and CCRS, and officials from the Ministry of Ayush and the Tamil Nadu government will participate. Students from Government Siddha Medical Colleges in Chennai and Palayamkottai , as well as self-financing Siddha colleges from Tamil Nadu and Kerala , are expected to attend in large numbers.

On the occasion, the Ministry of Ayush will felicitate five eminent personalities for their outstanding contributions to the Siddha system of medicine.

Siddha medicine is one of India’s oldest traditional medical systems , with origins tracing back over 2,000 years to the ancient Tamil region. Developed by the 18 Siddhars , the system emphasises a holistic approach to health, focusing on prevention, lifestyle discipline, and the balance of body and mind. Sage Agathiyar is credited with systematising Siddha knowledge, including its diagnostic methods and herbal, mineral, and metal-based formulations.

The 9th Siddha Day celebrations will highlight Siddha’s role in preventive healthcare, scientific research, and global wellness , while reaffirming the government’s efforts to strengthen its integration into mainstream healthcare, promote research collaboration, and expand its academic and international footprint. The event reflects the Ministry of Ayush’s broader commitment to advancing India’s traditional systems of medicine within national and global health frameworks.